The TV Zone

(Dave Hogan/Getty)

Get ready for one of the major TV events of the year - on Tuesday, July 7.

The Michael Jackson memorial.

Network plans are starting to filter in now.

Here's CBS:

"Based on current plans, CBS News will provide comprehensive coverage anchored by Katie Couric of Michael Jackson’s memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, as well as the events and activities surrounding the memorial via the CBS Television Network, CBSNews.com and CBS Radio News. "

The network adds that the following will orginate from there..."The Early Show...Evening News with Katie Couric"...AND a special "48 Hours" anchored by Katie Couric.

-Photos: Michael Jackson's final rehearsal
-Photos: Fans react to Jackson's death

Expect very similar plans by everyone else too.

Tuesday is MJ day. Get ready...The crush is on now for special interviews, "exclusives," and you-name-it.

Enjoy your Fourth.

Yes, those are the key facts. Whitney Houston's comeback album is due out then, and she'll launch "GMA's" fall concert series. This September. A big get for "GMA," suffice it to say. No other details at this point.

-Photos: Whitey Houston

Yes, the whole show, tomorrow:

" “20/20” will report on the latest details and questions surrounding Michael Jackson’s life and shocking death. Anchored by Elizabeth Vargas, the hour will feature interviews with those closest to the King of Pop in the last days of his life, never-before-seen home video of Jackson with his children, and will take viewers through the controversial change in his appearance over the years. Cynthia McFadden, Jim Avila and Chris Connelly will contribute to the program. “20/20” airs Friday, July 3 (10:00 - 11:00 p.m. ET) "

-Photos: Fans react to Michael Jackson's death
-Photos: Michael Jackson, year-by-year

Here's Matt's exclusive interview with Jermaine, if you haven't yet seen:

So so so much to catch up with before the long holiday weekend.

Let's get to it!

* "Law & Order: SVU" co-stars Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni have finally ended their months-long contract dispute with TV bosses, after signing two-year deals to remain on the show, per the June 30 report from The Associated Press. Surprise? Ha! You've got to be kidding. There would be no show without them, and Dick Wolf couldn't pull his old habit of dumping actors who got too big for their britches. These two are the britches. How much did they get? Not SiCo's $144 million, but something south of that.

* Rocky Carroll will do both versions of "NCIS." That's the scoop from TV Guide this morning. He's already on "NCIS" mo' ship, and will now move to baby "NCIS" - the Los Angeles spin-off. "I'll be keeping my normal routine on the 'mother ship,' and I'll be doing at least six of the first 13 episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles," he tells the mag.

* Chris Slater could be coming back to a TV set near you; he's in talks to join "The Forgotten," per "Hollywood Reporter." Slater was in one of my favorite new shows of '08, "My Own Worst Eneny." But I was apparently the only one. Gone quickly...

* Hilary Duff to "Gossip Girl," for a multi-ep arc, per Ausiello. Starts in October. HiDu's been quite the TV traveler since "Lizzie McGuire" days, landing bits and pieces in..."Ghost Whisperer," "Joan of Arcadia," "L&O: SVU"...

* Neil Patrick Harris will probably host the Emmys. Good! He's a heck of a host. "Broadcasting and Cable" has the word on this this morning, and if the Academy is looking for my approval on the matter, I juseet gave it. Get NPH now!

* Jay Leno is still looking for material for his new show. It's not easy, this comedy thing...

* "America's Got Talent's" got viewers. Show was seen by nearly 13 million people Tuesday - and meanwhile, ABC's "The Superstars" is in trouble already - just about 3.5 million watched it at 10 on Tuesday, which is just about as low as you can go before the hook starts to make its way from beyond the curtains...That MJ special on "48 Hours?" Just over 8 million viewers; easily won the time period.

Another clip from my favorite talent show...The Gift that Keeps on Keeping On...

And now, Karl Malden is gone.

Please go to the jump for my obit. The LA Times obit crossed a few hours ago.

He was not a big TV star, by any means, though fans of "Streets of San Francisco" would beg to disagree.

-Photos: Karl Malden

He was just a big star, period. Well over 50 films during a career that began in 1940. (And of course, the ubiquitous American Express commercial.)

Here's the season four opening credit sequence of "Streets." May bring back some memories for those who were around for this one; it ended the year after another ABC show launched: "Charlie's Angels."

Continue reading "Karl Malden" »

The intrepid Corris Little of Newsday.com has brought these clips - via Mynetwork - to my attention and I now bring them to yours': Chris Brown and other MJ-related matters...

Next week - the 7th, to be exact - NBC bows another reality show. Entitled "Great American Road Trip," this one is of especial interest to LI'ers because...it stars an LI family.

Here they are, the Favereys...of Wantagh...

Great column by esteemed Washington Post TV critic Tom Shales on why the world needs TV critics - and it was not even remotely self-serving.

The second graph (and go here for the whole piece...):
"Sadly, there are people abroad and afoot in the land who maintain that TV critics are anachronisms, unnecessary luxuries in a fidgety digital age. Unfortunately, some of those people happen to be newspaper editors."

Like I said, a great Shales piece, as always.

But he forgot some points. I'll quickly cite those:

* TV critics are fun.

* TV critics are never wrong.

* TV critics watch TV so you don't have to.

* TV critics care about Jon AND Kate (less so about the kids).

* TV critics - the best ones - love "Americas Got Talent."

* TV critics are very adept at putting double entendres in reviews, especially ones relating to shows like "Hung."

* TV critics whine ceaselessly about "American Idol" - now, who ELSE is gonna do that?

* TV critics rarely drink too much at parties.

* TV critics have (however) been known to eat too much at parties, particularly ones that the networks are throwing.

* TV critics never allow their opinions to be swayed by the networks - except by networks that throw parties.

* TV critics are fair and unbalanced.

* TV critics know how to do lots of stuff - like rap. Those particular critics are called "cr******."

* TV critics are reasonable people, for the most part.

* TV critics care about YOU - unless you don't agree with them.

* TV critics also care about people like Racheal Ray (do you?)

* TV critics are functionally unemployable so if they lose their jobs, they won't be...umm, employed.

As we all wait anxiously for Susan Boyle to make a cameo on "America's Got Talent," we must - in the meantime - content ourselves with other grand possibilities.

Such as: Could America produce its own Susan Boyle?

Last night, you could see it in the Hoff's eyes - "I'm here at the outset of history," he thought. "I am about to witness greatness..."

And then, Carol Lugo danced.

(This is the fine entertainment we've come to expect of America's fourth-ranked network...)

Yes, this is rather last minute, but it was just announced....

Here's some of the release...

"With the sudden passing of Michael Jackson last week, millions of people around the world are paying their respects to the King of Pop, yet the circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery and raise even more questions about his life. CBS News will take a look at both his legacy and the investigation into his death as part of the 48 HOURS special MICHAEL JACKSON: PICKING UP THE PIECES, anchored by Katie Couric on Tuesday, June 30 (10:00-11:00 pm, ET/PT).

With the probe under way, many are awaiting answers as to just what happened when Jackson collapsed, amid speculation about his use of prescription painkillers. The broadcast will take a look at Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician who reportedly found Jackson not breathing, shortly before the singer’s death.

-Photos: Fans react to the death of the pop legend
-Photos: Michael Jackson through the years

While Jackson’s music has brought joy to so many, his life was riddled with controversy. MICHAEL JACKSON: PICKING UP THE PIECES will step back and look at the man whose strained relationship with his family, poor body image and plastic surgery eventually eclipsed his talent. The broadcast will examine Jackson’s connection to the black community during his career as well as his legacy among musicians today and into the future.

-Photos: Fans react to the death of the pop legend
-Photos: Michael Jackson through the years

(And certainly not to this cad. By the way, whatever happened to him? Who cares...)

Happened this morning on "GMA," where she's a contributor. Engaged to Ty Strickland. The old boyfriend. The one she shoulda hitched up with in the first place.

Not cad boy.

Here's the "GMA" story:

"Good Morning America" special contributor Melissa Rycroft, who famously had her heart broken on "The Bachelor," has found her happily ever after. And instead of a rose, this time it was a ring.

Rycroft, 26, announced live on "GMA" Tuesday that she and boyfriend Ty Strickland became engaged over the weekend in Texas.

"Sometimes the stars align," the "Dancing With the Stars" alum told "GMA" anchors Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts," "and the clouds part and everything works out the way it should."

The engagement took place in private, she said, and then "we went and met up with our parents and friends."

The couple met three years ago at a mutual friend's party and had dated on and off before reconnecting after Rycroft's appearance on "The Bachelor."

King o' the world? (Getty Images Photo)

I see the press has its tighty-whities all in knot over the report out the U.K. yesterday that Simon Cowell - SiCo - has been offered $144 million a year to continue on "American Idol."

The Post even has a banner headline, or something, seeming to suggest that it's true, and because the Post is owned by Rupert Murdoch who will presumably pay SiCo this sum, then it MUST be true.

-Photos: Simon Cowell

Except that it's highly dubious.

Let me re-phrase: I don't believe it.

Here's the graph in the Guardian story that has caused all the uproar. It's buried deep, deep, deep - as if a throwaway, as if the writer herself didn't even believe it, and I bet she didn't (the Guardian story is, by the way, quite good):

"A source close to Fuller says that Cowell has already been offered three to four times the $36m he was paid for American Idol in 2008 - but then, he is the most important person on the show and the series makes $900m a year and attracts audiences of 25 million. The point is that Cowell makes nothing more than this admittedly large performance fee and that's the gap the Green deal hopes to fill. " ("Green refers to Sir Philip Green, the retailer that SiCo's working out a deal with...)

You can almost see the writer smile as she writes these words.

Let's translate:

"A source close to Fuller..."

"Fuller," is - of course - Simon Fuller, my own Dr. Evil, who despises SiCo with all the furies of hell and beyond. He sued SiCo over patent infringement (I think it was patent infringement) over "The X Factor" and they settled out of court.

This "source close to Fuller" is repeating gossip that's been out there for weeks - and it's probably bogus gossip. Why should a "source close to Fuller" know what SiCo is doing anyway? This is hurtful information to Cowell - Dr. Evil's handiwork.

"... already been offered three to four times ..."

More bogosity! Three to four times? Vague, wouldn't you say?

Why would Rupert want to play this up? Maybe to embarrass SiCo? Who knows.

But there is NO WAY Fox is going to pay him $144M a year. Impossible. That would exceed the profit of the entire Fox network, in all probability, and wipe out whatever's left, too. It would be the highest services contract fee in TV history, by a vast margin. It would be suicidal - for Fox and for the entire TV industry. The TV industry isn't baseball and it isn't even basketball. Anyway, the last time I checked even Kobe wasn't making $144 m a year.

It would be stupid beyond stupid.

Let's get this straight: Fox knows SiCo is leaving one of these days, sooner than later. My hunch: He'll re-up for two more years beyond the season he's taping now. Gives Fox/ 19 Entertainment time to groom a successor, etc.

He'll get something far more important than mere money in return; what? Maybe an astronomical sum for "The X Factor," owned outright by our man.

SiCo's not looking for a mere $144 M a year to host "American Idol." That's chump change. He's looking to rule the world. For him, that's much more interesting.

(HBO)

Good scoop by "EW's" Michael Ausiello:

Drea de Matteo is joining "Desperate Housewives."

I should add a few "!!!!" for emphasis.

And at least one "?"

As in, isn't she already in "Sons of Anarchy?" Did I miss something? Did she have a Silvio moment there too?

And another question: Why join "DH?"

Why not! Per "EW," "De Matteo, who will be a series regular, will play the matriarch of a new Italian family. Casting is underway for her landscape designer husband and their tightly wound son. "

I assume she/he/Tightly Wound are moving to Wisteria.

Oh man, THIS is what happens when I don't watch an awards show in its glorious entirety: A controversy breaks out and I gotta catch up hours later.

First, Don Lemon of CNN has an interview with Joe Jackson who plugs some new record company - or something. That's on the jump.

Now, here's the latest: Lil Wayne sang new single "Every Girl" last night, and as one Minneapolis writer, David Hansen, correctly observed, he "didn't get the memo." Night was supposed to be about "MJ."

Ummm, but not this.

In other words. BET's done it again!

Dr. Janet Taylor, a New York-based clinical instructor of psychiatry at Columbia University at Harlem Hospital has come out with both guns blazing (in website, Momlogic.)

Here's Taylor, then check out the clip, which is the only one I can find insofar as the patent and copyright trolls at Viacom have already sent out their legal briefs to the Youtube nation, and pulled down EVERY single clip of "Every Girl" out there. (Probably because the company's trying to bury the evidence.) Somehow, they missed this one. (But, one suspects, not for long.)

-Photos: 2009 BET Awards

Taylor: "Now, I enjoy rap with the exception of rappers who use lyrics to degrade, defame or threaten others. In my opinion, the music is not productive and I frequently will simply turn it off. On the show, when rapper Drake appeared sitting down to rest his torn Achilles , I was like OK ... pretty tame. I don't have a problem with Lil' Wayne, he is creative and his writing is brilliant at times. However, his song "Every Girl" is offensive and disturbing. Here are the shocking lyrics, read them with caution. [Note to reader: Easy to find 'em, but I probably shouldn't link from here; they're graphic, bigtime.] Perhaps, they are what our kids are used to. I have teenagers, girls no less, who have heard the song and like it. My problem was the preteens who were proudly on stage, shaking their groove thang to this misogynistic, disrespectful song. It was ridiculous. Debra Lee, the CEO of BET, also the mother of two children, should be asking herself who approved this and how these young girls were allowed to be a part of this "act"."

Now, the clip:

Continue reading "BET, Lil Wayne Get Rapped Over "Every Girl" " »

Per Discovery, "No decision has been made regarding season two of PITCHMEN. The network is focused on supporting Mays' family and friends during this time of incredible loss."

This Wednesday's marathon airs from 11 a.m. throught 10 p.m., when TDC will air a brand new episode.

Per TDC: "To celebrate a man who was larger than life, the network will run tribute promos honoring Billy Mays and never-before-aired moments throughout the day. A slate will also be added to the end of the season finale in his remembrance.In addition, a special tribute show is being planned."

(Will this show go on next season? I can't imagine that it could in a million years - even with Billy's co-pitchman, Anthony Sullivan on-board. "Pitchmen" is SO much Mays' big personality.)

-Photos: Famous TV pitchmen

Well, sure: I exaggerate.

I do that a lot.

But Dylan Ratigan did get on the air with his new gig this morning with hardly any advanced warning.

Show's called "Morning Meeting." Ratigan's a talented guy. Should be good. We'll see.

Here's Brian Williams greeting the new anchorman this morning.

Amusing...

(AP)

Billy Mays died of a pulmonary embolism - not from brain trauma, per reports out of Tampa.

According to the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Vernard Adams, Mays "had an enlarged heart, a thickening of the wall of the ventricle which takes blood to the heart."

[By the way, I earlier described this as "heart disease," but a reader noted that it was not technically "heart disease;" however, according to a report recently posted in People, the ME did in fact find evidence of heart disease, and an enlarged heart would certainly suggest as much, while his wife seems to believe heart disease was also the cause.]

Here's the statement from his Deborah Mays, and on the jump, St. Pete Times' Kim Wilmath wrap...


"Billy would be overwhelmed to see that his life touched so many people in a positive way. The support we have received during this difficult time has been tremendous. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers. While it provides some closure to learn that heart disease took Billy from us, it certainly doesn't ease the enormous void that his death has created in our lives. As you can imagine, we are all devastated. We are asking that you respect our privacy as I will not be conducting any media interviews in the near future."

And here's Rehema Ellis's wrap from over the weekend...

Continue reading "Billy Mays: Pulmonary Embolism" »

For you young 'uns out there, I'd like to take note of Gale Storm's passing over the weekend at age 87.

Gale Storm? A very popular TV actress in the early '50s. Her show, "My Little Margie," was a CBS summer replacement for "I Love Lucy," and became a hit in its own right, while re-runs eventually ended up on Saturday morning, where a whole new generation of kids watched.

No one - I'm reasonably certain - ever called "Margie" a great show, but the leading lady had genuine and lasting appeal. Margie was a creature of '50s TV - where women were slightly dim and cute and subservient, but the show was standard fare for the times. Watched through the prism of 2009 sensibilities, it seems as ancient as an Egyptian hieroglyph.

For example: I've posted a clip and in the opening scene of one episode you'll also see Willie Best, one of the enduring black character actors of the day whose career stretched way back almost to the silent screen era; (his many roles were stereotypes of the worst order but this is how Hollywood often portrayed African Americans on TV and on screen from the '30s almost through to the '60s.) Best was also one of the hardest working black actors of the day - Bob Hope, I believe, said he was one of the most talented actors and comics he'd ever worked with - and died only a handful of years after this show, one of his final credits, went off the air.

And finally, Charles Farrell, who played Margie's widower dad in the show (they lived together; she was always getting him in trouble at the company he worked for.) Farrell was a huge star in the late '20s, when he starred with Janet Gaynor in a bunch of romantic chick flicks.

Storm later had her own show ("The Gale Storm Show") and appeared on "What's My Line." There were some very hard times too, as she related in her autobiography.

And now one of the most memorable stars of early television is gone.