Day 45: WGA's Strike; ION Drew Carey Show Contest; RTN's 40th Affiliate: Phoenix

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Day 45: WGA's Strike; ION Drew Carey Show Contest; RTN's 40th Affiliate: Phoenix

Today is day 45 of the writers' strike. The Los Angeles City Council's Housing, Community, and Economic Development Committee will conduct a hearing on the economic impact of the Writers Guild of America strike on the local and regional economy. Issues discussed will include the history of bargaining and the issues at stake in this strike. It was slated today Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 7:30 AM PT.
Rejected for a Writers Guild of America waiver, the Golden Globes now are scheduled to be picketed by the WGA, assuming the guild is still on strike by the time of the telecast on Jan. 13. Dick Clark Productions, producer of the Globes telecast, fears many actors won't cross the picket line to attend the event. The Oscars could also be impacted on Feb. 24, if the strike lasts that long.
In schedule news, NBC will move the premiere of The Celebrity Apprentice from Jan. 3 to Jan. 10, so it doesn't have to go head-to-head vs. ABC's Grey's Anatomy. Like that will work...The Donald is so over already. Meanwhile, NBC will give viewers an expanded season finale of new live competition show Clash of the Choirs from one-hour to two hours on Thursday, December 20 from 8-10 p.m. ET.

ION Television today announced that it is celebrating the launch of The Drew Carey Show on ION Television with a "Bring in the Drew Year With a Smile" promotion, sponsored by Crest Whitestrips. The contest will be promoted beginning New Year's Eve, and will officially begin on January 1, 2008. Viewers will get to vote for their favorite smiles from members of The Drew Carey Show cast, and enter for a chance to win a trip for four anywhere in the US that will "make you smile."
To enter the contest, viewers will need to watch The Drew Carey Show on ION Television during the first few weeks of 2008, and vote for their favorite smile from Drew, Mimi or Lewis on ION's Web site (www.ionline.tv). The grand prize package includes roundtrip airfare, deluxe hotel accommodations and spending money.
The contest will be heavily promoted during a special "Drew Year's Eve" marathon of back-to-back shows, which will launch The Drew Carey Show from 7-11 pm (ET) on New Year's Eve. On New Year's Day, the series will join ION Television’s primetime lineup, with episodes airing Mondays through Thursdays at 9 and 9:30 pm (ET).

Retro Television Network (RTN) announced today that it will partner with Londen Media Group to bring RTN programming to Phoenix, the nation's 12th largest television market. The new affiliate will launch next year on KAZT-DT, bringing the network's total number of affiliates to 40. Phoenix viewers will enjoy RTN's 'Primetime All The Time' lineup of hit shows, including Get Smart, Hogan's Heroes, Hawaii 5-0, A-Team, Mission: Impossible and the original Knight Rider!

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, February 26

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A New Hobby, a Pervert and a Part-Time Job" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Audrey and Mandy urge Jim to find a new hobby now that he’s retired and driving them crazy.

Ghosts - "The Others" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Sam and the ghosts face The Others, a new group of spirits from one ghost’s past. Meanwhile, Trevor tries to deal with a demanding Patience, who seeks a committed relationship in the wake of their holiday hookup.

Animal Control - "Roosters and Moles" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When Templeton is nominated for Animal Control officer of the year, Frank sets out to rescue 24 animals in 24 hours; Victoria steps in for Shred after he's bitten by a kitten; Templeton tries to sabotage Frank's mission.

Going Dutch - "Swapadakis" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Major Shah needs the weekend off to celebrate his anniversary with Celeste; Capt. Maggie makes an emotional hair choice.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 23)

Thursday, February 26

Sterling K. Brown (Starved) - Catch Sterling on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. He also talks about Hulu's Paradise on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Dave "Lil Dicky" Burd (Dave) - Dave is a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Bobby Cannavale (Angie Tribeca/Will & Grace) - Bobby appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Jon Hamm (Grimsburg/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) - Jon stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He also talks about Hoppers on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Christa Miller (Shrinking/Cougar Town/Scrubs/The Drew Carey Show) - Christa talks about Shrinking on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Amy Landecker (Transparent/The Paul Reiser Show) and Bradley Whitford (Perfect Harmony/Trophy Wife) - Amy and Bradley talk about For Worse on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm. NBC's Today catches up with Bradley in the 9am hour.
Jackson White (Mrs. Fletcher) - Jackson talks about Tell Me Lies on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Gina Gershon (Red Oaks/How to Make It in America) - NBC's Today catches up with Gina in the 10am hour.
Kym Whitley (Act Your Age/Young & Hungry/Animal Practice/Sparks) - Sherri's BFF Kym stops by to introduce her to some single men on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Emeril Lagasse (Emeril) - It's a cooking flashback when Emeril surprises Sunny on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Kristin Davis (And Just Like That.../Bad Teacher/Sex and the City) - It's a little bit extra with Kristin who reminisces about her favorite moments playing Charlotte on Sex and the City on The Drew Barrmyore Show, so check your local listings.
Piper Curda (I Didn't Do It) and Bobby Moynihan (Mr. Mayor/Me, Myself & I) - Piper and Bobby talk about Hoppers on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.
Brenda Song (Running Point/Dollface/Dads/The Suite Life on Deck/The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) - Brenda talks about her film Operation Taco Gary on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Demi Lovato (Sonny with a Chance) - Demi talks about her It's Not That Deep tour on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.