Will ‘R.I.P.D.’ be DOA? Google talks OTT. Netflix shakes up Emmys.

After the coffee. Before starting my own over the top service.

The Skinny: I tried watching the All-Star game, but I kept getting sucked into “Seinfeld” reruns on TBS. Wednesday’s highlights includes a look at whether “R.I.P.D.” will be a big bomb and more talk about Google launching its own pay-TV distribution service over the Internet. Also, Netflix is shaking up the Emmy competition. If you are interested in receiving an email alert when the Morning Fix is live please send me a note.

Daily Dose: Google might need more than money if it wants to launch its own pay-TV service (see below). One major programmer said it would want to see Google change its rather casual attitude toward piracy before selling it content. That may very well be a concern of other progammers too, particularly Viacom, which got into an ugly legal battle with Google’s YouTube over piracy.

“R.I.P.D.” DOA? Looks like “R.I.P.D.” will be the latest summer flop. The movie, which cost $130 million to make, stars Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds as deceased lawmen who battle other dead people. Based on audience surveys, “R.I.P.D.” may take in less than $20 million this weekend. While Bridges can pretty much survive anything, an expensive flop probably won’t do much for Ryan Reynolds. The Los Angeles Times on “R.I.P.D.”

PHOTOS: Hollywood backlot moments

Here we go again. If I had a dollar for every story about a company talking to programmers about creating an Internet-distributed pay-TV service I’d be a rich man. And if it is Google, make it two dollars! According to the Wall Street Journal, Google is once again floating the idea of becoming a multichannel video programming distributor. While the story got a lot of attention, this is the second time in two years Google has talked about doing this. One of the issues is cost. The big programmers are not going to cut Google or any other so-called over the top providers a break and would likely charge them more.

Sea change. On Thursday, Emmy nominations will be announced and there is a good chance that Netflix could end up dominating some categories thanks to the drama “House of Cards” and the comedy “Arrested Development.” This would be the latest sign of a shift in not only who makes entertainment but how it is viewed. After all, Netflix shows are often watched on computers and tablets vs. television. Netflix has spent heavily on Emmy campaigns and clearly sees nominations as an acknowledgment it has arrived. But Netflix also probably has launched big Emmy campaigns to encourage talent to work with the company. The New York Times and the Associated Press on the Netflix factor at this year’s Emmy Awards.

PHOTOS: Celebrities by The Times

Another chance. I hope I get as many chances as Keith Olbermann. This time, it is ESPN near a deal to bring the sports and political commentator back with a late-night show on ESPN2. Earlier this year, Turner Broadcasting said it hired Olbermann for its post-season baseball coverage. Olbermann, of course, has a history of alienating bosses (I can relate), most recently at Current TV and MSNBC and before that at ESPN and Fox. The New York Daily News on Olbermann’s latest comeback.

Inside the Los Angeles Times: Betsy Sharkey on “Turbo.”
Follow me on Twitter. I’m an All-Star every year. @JBFlint.