The TV Zone

Good morning, sports fans. So much going on in the world of TV, that I've decided to boil down some extended essays into four brief observations. They are...

Number One: As you peruse the obits of Joe Barbera today, allow me to refocus your attention on one little aspect of this extraordinary career. Barbera, and his production partner, Bill Hanna, were almost single-handedly (Okay, double-handedly) responsible for establishing animated shows in primetime, (which had the effect – unintended at first, and then intended – of drawing millions more kids into the nighttime viewing hours.) An exemplary salesman, Barbera convinced ABC to pick up "The Flintstones" when everyone else on Broadcast Row in NYC thought the idea of a cartoon in primetime idiotic. Idiotic, but amusing: His sales pitches for "The Flintstones" (initially called "The Flagstones") were legion, and crowds of advertisers frequently turned up just to watch the antic and pint-size Barbera act out the various characters, from Fred to Wilma to Barney to Betty. No one would buy the show, however, except lowly ABC, which had nothing to lose and thought an animated show like this might actually attract younger city-dwellers to the network. ABC was right, but before long, kids tuned in as well, making "The Flintstones" one of the great kids’ TV hits in history. "Flintstones" hit the air in '60 and soon, other ABC primetime animated shows followed, including "The Bugs Bunny Show," and "Top Cat." "The Simpsons" - many years later - was directly inspired by ABC's successful gambit. [Above: Cartoon Network photo.]

Meanwhile, a trivia question: What show did "The Flintstones" lead into? You are correct - "77 Sunset Strip," which leads to observation...

Number Two: Viewers of the "Insufferable Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" witnessed what was certainly the finest extended scene - if you want to call it that - in the series short history on Dec. 4 when the show closed with that beautiful and moving bluesy rendition of "Oh Holy Night," performed by outstanding brass ensemble, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Mervin "Kid Merv" Campbell, Kirk Joseph (and a few others.) Anyway..."Insufferable" repeated the episode last night, quite possibly because the scene has emerged as something of an online hit (I believe you can go to NBC.com to download, but don't hold me to this.) So here's my humble pre-Christmas suggestion to "Insufferable Studio 60:" Hire these guys, let them play all the time, and cut out all dialogue. I think we've got a winner...

Number three: Will somebody please let Rosie O'Donnell know that the gig for "The Price is Right" is taken? It's over Rosie! You're stuck with Barbara forever! She told "Extra" yesterday: "See I want ‘The Price is Right,’ but nobody’s offered me ‘The Price is Right.'" She added, there's "a clause in my contract [allowing her to take over Bob Barker’s gig when he retires next June], but they apparently don’t want me…which is sort of sad...because I have visions for ‘The Price is Right.’” Terribly sorry, my dear dear Rosie. They haven't offered you the gig because they've already given it to Dave Price, and dear dear Dave, who has accepted, apparently has no vision at all, best I can tell. Nevertheless, I'm intrigued: what kind of "vision" can anyone possibly have for "Price?" It's real simple. Every now and then you bellow these words - "COME ON DOOOWWWNNN" - or, in the unlikely event that they don't already know, you teach audience members how to play "Plinko" or "Pick a Pair." A vision??!! It's OK. I've recovered from my hysterical laughing fit...

Number Four: Will someone please explain to me what would have happened on Sunday's "Survivor" finale" if there'd been a two-way tie? I'll take any explanation at all. I'm absolutely open to suggestions, ideas, proposals - ANYTHING. I'm reasonably certain Jeff Probst didn't say what the show would have done if someone had actually revealed a deliciously wicked and puckish sense of humor by actually voting for Becky. Instead, Yul squeezed out a 5-4 win over Ossie, whose tearful anti-tribute to his deadbeat father clearly won over no converts. Couldn't someone, anyone, have thought - "well, yeah, it did take Becky about a day to finally start that fire in the tie-breaker challenge, but - hey! - it was fun watching her strike the flint..."
What would Jeff have done? What would Ossie and Yul have done? What would CBS have done...?