Live From the Upfronts
Times staff writers Maria Elena Fernandez and Matea Gold report from New York
Kiefer Sutherland tries to make a quick exit
Thursday, 5:43 p.m.
This joint is packed to the nines. We are on the first floor pondering whether we should leave when a throng of people push past and a man grabs us and moves us out of the way. We turn and it's a friendly face from Fox who apologizes and says "I gotta go!"
We turn and there before us is the "24" star. Push, push, push and in the boys' room he goes with a couple of bodyguards who empty it. Suddenly, lots of women gather outside the door, cameras at the ready. And then a bunch of young guys gather around too; everyone is waiting for Kiefer Sutherland to come out.
As CTU's agent extraordinaire exits the bathroom, he is mobbed. He smiles, poses for pictures with everyone who asks and then he's off again. As he tries to get away, women grab his arm, his back, anything they can hold onto.One woman yells, "Go get him young girls! He's single and hot!"
Sutherland waves and leaves, and with that, we end our spring ritual with the answer to the question "24" fans have asked for five years: Yes, Jack Bauer does go to the bathroom. Over and out.
Brad Garrett makes his arrival
Thursday, 4:58 p.m.
There are soooo many people here that it's hard to spot The Stars even from our precious bench. Thank you, Brad, for being a giant among Hollywood shorties because we see you. You are laughing and carrying on so we guess Fox is still employing you.
Filing dispatches on a BlackBerry has a down side: one of the waiters took our drink and we didn't notice. Are we invisible? We complain to another waiter who responds: "Read my belt buckle."
EXCUSE US? We take a peek and neon lights read: "Wow, you're good-looking." We laugh and the sweet waiter says, "So don't worry about it." Well, okay. But what about the frantic new mother on the cell phone next to us? Whoever she is talking to does not understand how to open a bottle of Similac. Time to move and roam.
Winding down at the Fox party
Thursday, 4:42 p.m.
Perched on a lovely wooden bench on the second floor of the cavernous Guastavino's in Manhattan,we say adios to the exhausting TV enterprise known as the Upfronts.
Fox moved its popular gathering from the Boathouse in Central Park this year, after several years of complaints from buyers, actors, and the press that their party was too crowded. Here, too, in this Upper East Side restaurant the masses have flocked to see cuties like Kiefer Sutherland, Wentworth Miller and Amaury Nolasco.
Are they here? We can't tell yet. But we like this venue. It's so big it has an elevator, and we have our birds-eye-view bench. Let us sip our cosmo and report back.
'American Idol' judges give Liguori a once-over
Thursday, 3:19 p.m.
Always one of the most gracious and grateful actors on TV, Kiefer Sutherland appeared on stage to thank advertisers for supporting "24."
Sutherland, who also produces the action-packed thriller, said that the production team is so energized by the show's growth this year that they agreed not to take other jobs this year to get ahead of next season. To that end, they already have the first four scripts written.
"This is the most incredible opportunity I've had as an actor ... If I could buy you all a drink, but Peter's (Liguori) already taken care of that."
Then the "American Idol" judging trio showed up on stage sitting behind their judging desk. Each critiqued Liguori, Fox's president of entertainment.
Randy Jackson asked him what look he was going for.
Paula Abdul told him he seems like a real nice guy but his eyebrows could use tweezing.
And Simon Cowell spoke up for the masses: "This is the most bored audience I've ever seen in my life."
At Cowell's blunt assessment, the crowd applauded and cheered.
Minutes later, Liguori thanked Cowell for "embarassing me" in front of the audience and his family.
Quite a few people were seen trickling out of the building early.
Garrett's stand-up routine leaves some buyers rattled
Thursday, 2:23 p.m.
The Fox upfront kicked off with an old-fashioned Radio City style song-and-dance number featuring "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein, who provides te voice for the wife on the animated show, dressed in gold sequined suits and singing "come to Fox and buy" as Rockette-type dancers and men in white tails swirled around them.
Then, as booming music filled the cavernous room, a parade of Fox stars marched down the aisles onto the stage. Hugh Laurie and Kiefer Sutherland sparked swells of cheers from the crowd.
But it was a stand-up routine by Brad Garrett, star of Fox's new show "'Til Death," that seemed to startle even the most seasoned ad buyers.
He started off with: "It's just great to stand on a stage where I don't have to kiss Ray Romano's ass."
Then he took a dig at the acting chops of Leslie Moonves, his last boss, at CBS. He followed that by noting that Paula Abdul was in attendance. "It's nice to know Bellevue has a shuttle bus. " As murmurs spread through crowd, Garrett asked bluntly, "You think Ryan Seacrest is gay?"
Some murmurs turned into gasps.
The comic actor concluded by showing a clip of the infamous kiss Pamela Anderson planted on Fox Entertainment President Peter Liguori at last year's upfront presentation.
As Garrett exited the stage, Liguori took the microphone over, saying "It's going to be a long night."
Fox draws a huge street crowd to Midtown
Thursday, 1:46 p.m.
The network upfront presentation was delayed 20 minutes this afternoon. The doors opened late and invited guests struggled to make their way into the Armory for the show, while hundreds of fans amassed around them hoping to spot a few celebrities.
The crowd extended a full city block north from the Armory entrance, which in itself posed something of a challenge for ad buyers in suits and heels, with its long staircase leading inside.
As buyers trudged up the stairs of the 1912 building, Hollywood agents were sneaking by, throwing a few elbows left and right, and crazed fans tried to get a sneak peak of anyone they might recognize as a television star Hugh Laurie? Kiefer Sutherland?
One man, apparently homeless, yelled out to anyone listening that he was kicked out and that he was going to sue.
Inside, early arrivals were treated to hip hop music and found themselves a bit mesmerized by the twinkly lights dotting the walls, for the most part unaware of the chaos outside.
Fox sales chief Jon Nesvig apologized to the crowd for the delays at the door.
Fans swarm the boys with squeals
Thursday, 12:38 p.m.
More than 40 fans, mostly women in the 18- to 34- age demographic, were cordoned off behind metal barricades waiting for CW stars to make their entrances at the party.
When "Smallville" star Tom Welling was leaving, the squealing began, prompting Welling to strike his GQ pose and smile for the clicking cell phone cameras.
Papparrazi photographers yelled "Tom, you're the man!" At which point "Supernatural" star Jared Padalecki walked up to enjoy his own moment of glory. This CW hottie took the time to pose for pictures with the ladies.
The CW serves up sexy men and salmon in Bryant Park
Thursday, 11:38 a.m.
The CW knows what young people like: network execs threw their first-ever after-upfront gathering at Bryant Park Grill right next to Bryant Park in Manhattan. The open-space outdoor area served as a sexy lounge where beautiful people like the boys from "Smallville" and "Supernatural" could eat and be merry while regular folks admired them from the grass.
After many days of rain in NYC, Thursday turned out to be a glorious day to launch a new network. And the CW did it right, with a superb buffet that included salmon, macaroni and cheese and an open bar.
The only thing missing from the party, according to Steven Zeidenfeld of Imperia Vodka is, well, his vodka. "It's not Russian, nor is it the No.1 luxury Vodka of Russia," he said of the brand being poured at the open bar. His good stuff, it turns out, was only available to the special people allowed inside the restaurant during the party.
As it turned out, Zeidenfeld didn't even know what the CW was. But then, he's well past the 18- to 34-demographic advertisers want, so who cares?
Queuing up for egg rolls and TV stars
Wednesday, 4:41 p.m.
It was jostling room-only at Tavern on the Green in Central Park, where people stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the outdoor courtyard under strings of Chinese lanterns, enjoying the balmy evening after days of incessant rain. As always, CBS provided a good spread, serving up tables of egg rolls, fried rice and shrimp cocktail.
The photo stations -- where the casts of the shows stood at attention, dutifully posing for pictures with advertisers -- were mobbed. The actors from "The Class" were surrounded, and the line for Ray Liotta, starring in the new drama series "Smith," stretched around the room.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, whose midseason replacement "The New Adventures of Old Christine" got a vote of confidence from the network and is coming back next season, was just delighted to be there.
"They let me in!" she called out excitedly to a reporter between photos.
Digital Diary
Wednesday, 4:57 p.m.
Call it Must See non-TV. The growing demand for interactive digital entertainment means that making television shows available for downloads just isnt enough anymore. And networks are racing to find ways of filling the void.
Much as ABC created its Lost Experience, an alternative-reality game based on the show but unique from its story lines, other networks are now exploring ways in which to tie their programming into digital avenues. CBS will add a digital story line to complement its new fall drama, "Jericho," about a Kansas town isolated by a nuclear explosion. Viewers can find a separate plot line for the show online and on hand-held devices.
But CBS isnt just spinning off its own shows. America Online announced a partnership today with the network and Survivor producer Mark Burnett to launch an online treasure hunting game, Gold Rush, in which clues to locating 13 armored trucks carrying a combined $2 million in gold will be found within separate CBS television programs, sponsor commercials, at AOL.com and other media properties.
.Gold Rush is a massive cross-platform reality event, Burnett said in a statement. Unlike reality TV shows, where 16 hopefuls can take part to win, Gold Rush will allow potentially millions of players to look for the gold in mediums which are omnipresent, such as the Internet, radio, network television and print magazines. It is a game-changer in the way that the first Survivor changed the game.
Reality check: CBS Corp. President Leslie Moonves on the new digital madness: "Wireless is useless if youre hitless. Believe me, a bad show doesnt get better on a two-inch screen."
CBS opens with 'Jersey Boys' cast
Wednesday, 1:03 p.m.
Reporters and ad buyers awaiting Leslie Moonves to take the stage at Carnegie Hall were treated to a pre-presentation slide show featuring all kinds of CBS and NY trivia. For example, the upfront tradition of annual network presentations to advertisers began in 1962, the year that The Beverly Hillbillies premiered on television.
CBS kicked off with a live performance from the cast of the popular musical Jersey Boys, who sang about the networks 2006-2007 lineup to the tune of Please Don't Cry.
Later, Mariah Carey, who has a CBS special on tap in the fall, appeared in a little black dress to perform her big hit We Belong Together. Based on the reaction from ad buyers, she was a welcome surprise.
Enrique adds a dash of amor
Wednesday, 11:12 a.m.
At Alice Tully Hall, Univision opened its presenation with a big musical surprise: Straight from Cuba via Las Vegas, the Havana Nights troupe. About 30 singers and dancers in beach wear -- girls in bikinis, boys in shorts -- danced to Spanish hip hop and salsa.
Enrique Iglesias, clad in jeans and a black shirt, closed the show with three songs. For the last one, he sang from the center of the orchestra section, standing on a seat -- at which point all of the middle-aged buyers around him, men and women -- took out their cell phone cameras and clicked away.
Univision serves up mojitos
Wednesday, 9:59 a.m.
The hottest press ticket of the week is usually an invitation to Leslie Moonves' breakfast news conference at Black Rock the morning of the CBS presenation. Moonves who does not run CBS day to day anymore said today that he felt he shouldn't do the breakfast anymore but his publicity folks persuaded him to continue the tradition.
Oh it was fine -- eggs, bacon, muffins, bagels, juice, coffee. But Univision's spread was far more creative, and shall we say, muy delicioso. The network served up mojitos with a lunch including plantain-encrusted grouper, topped off with bite-size churros to carry away for snacks. Muchas Gracias!
Buyer Buzz
Tuesday, 4:57 p.m.
Shari Anne Brill, director of programming, Carat USA, says she understands why ABC decided to move "Grey's Anatomy" to Thursday, but warned that it may be risky.
"I understand why they made the decision -- everyone wants the retail dollars from Thursday nights -- but the connective shows around it doesn't seem to hold together for me. And I think it's going to be at the expense of their other nights."
Stargazing in Manhattan
Tuesday, 4:41 p.m.
The network's post-upfront bash, held in a tent outside Lincoln Center, teemed with young ad buyers, eagerly queuing up to get Polaroids taken with the ABC stars.
Predictably, the casts of "Lost," "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy" were mobbed. Music pulsated through the tent as the youthful buyers munched on shrimp cocktail, grilled vegetables and crab cakes.
But nowhere in sight (at least from our vantage point) was the dancer Stephen McPherson. Too bad, because there was an empty dance floor in the middle of the room.
Telemundo focuses on originality
Tuesday, 4:33 p.m.
The verdict is in: Original programming produced in the United States for Latinos who live in the country will continue to be the cornerstone of Telemundos programming, according to executives who spoke to reporters Tuesday, hours before the Spanish-language network presented next falls schedule to advertisers at Lincoln Center in Manhattan.
We had made a big bet and investment on original programming, said Don Brown, Telemundos president. But at this point last year, ratings were heading in the wrong direction. . . . Weve stayed absolutely on focus with our strategy.
Reporting ratings growth in all key areas prime time, daytime and weekend the networks senior vice president of entertainment, Ramon Escobar, outlined his fall schedule and announced five new telenovelas. One of them is a first-time production with Sony Pictures Television International to adapt Isabel Allendes retelling of the Zorro legend, El Zorro, into Zorro: La Espada y la Rosa (Zorro: The Sword and the Rose).
Written by Kiko Olivieri, creator of one of the networks current hits, La Tormenta,. the series will be produced in Colombia, one of the few not made in the U.S.
Were very excited about that and I think its something everyone will be wowed about, Escobar said of the show.
Escobar also announced Vas o No Vas, its version of Deal or No Deal, which is already very popular in Mexico.
For the first time, the network will air an original telenovela during the afternoon at 1 p.m. Cuatro Rosas (Four Roses) is the story of four women who live in a neighborhood, share secrets and are in relationships, for better or worse. The network, part of the NBC Universal family, isnt making any connections between it and Desperate Housewives, but the Wisteria Lane familiarity is undeniable.
A 'Grey's Anatomy' twist
Tuesday, 2:25 p.m.
Spoofing its most popular TV series, ABC brought out the cast of Greys Anatomy, with Chandra Wilson (Dr. Bailey) telling the audience how unruly the Seattle Grace Hospital crew really is.
"If I was really in charge, I'd clean the place up," she says.
Then, cut to a clip. It looks like a replay of George's dream of him and the girls in the shower. But in this fantasy, its Dr. McDreamy, Burke and Dr. Webber (Chief) getting into close quarters. Bailey appears and they all reveal how much they love her. She gets in shower with them.
Suddenly, shes falling out of bed onto the floor.
"Oh, Hell no."
Dancing with the boys
Tuesday, 2:08 p.m.
Last year Marc Cherry and the Wisteria girls danced on stage while he belted "Beautiful Girls." This year, William Shatner appeared in a tux and top hat, declaring "This year I am here to even the score!"
Shatner belted his own version of "Beautiful Boys." Soon he was joined by the leading men of ABC -- leading the pack in a tuxedo was Patrick Dempsey and Matthew Fox in a suit. The list went on and on: Doug Savant, Terry O'Quinn, Daniel Dae Kim, James Pickens Jr.
Then another voice was heard from balcony and it was Cherry finishing the song ... "The things I'll do to keep my show on Sunday nights."
And if that wasn't enough to get ad buyers in a jovial mood, Stephen McPherson, emerged to do the cha cha cha with Edyta Sliwinska from "Dancing With the Stars" to the tune of "Shook Me All Night Long."
He got a standing ovation.
For McPherson, it must have felt well worth the practice -- and the 2o pounds he dropped during eight weeks of training.
ABC's new discovery
Tuesday, 1:24.m.
Anne Sweeney opened ABCs presentation by citing all the latest developments in new media. But the network has hit on another new-fangled gizmo, she said, as two men wheeled out something hidden behind a dark sheet.
This invention promises unparalleled reach, she added.
The theme song from "2001 Space Odyssey" filled the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you TV!" Sweeney said dramatically, as the men pulled back the cloth to reveal an old-model television.
Jimmy Kimmel at play
Tuesday, 1:01 p.m.
As advertisers strolled into Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, Jimmy Kimmel's Kimmel-Cam caught all sorts of offensive behavior: Blackberry messages, cell phone conversations and one guy reading a magazine.
Kimmel playfully picked on all of them and also reminded the crowd of ad buyers to stop by at the ABCstore on their way out. "'Commander in Chief' handtowels are 6o percent off," he said.
At one point, he called out a seat number out and told its designee that she had won an "Emily's Reasons Why Not" book bag.
Coming to your portal soon: Webbie fashion tips
Tuesday, 12:11.m.
Taking a page from its sister News Corp. company MySpace, My Network TV is launching a website that promises more than outtakes from the show. Instead, it's a virtual lifestyle portal.
On www.mynetworktv.com, characters will talk about their clothes and offer fashion advice for different body types (attention advertisers: sponsorship opportunities galore). A therapist will examine behavior on the shows and give relationship advice based on what the characters are doing. There will also be recipes, based on food in the series. All the video clips can be easily emailed and uploaded to handheld devices.
As the world turns
Tuesday, 11:47 a.m.
Overhead on the subway, two ad buyers leaving the My Network TV upfront presentation:
Buyer 1: "So whadya think?" Buyer 2: "It is what is -- beautiful people in soap operas."
'Primetime' floats on ABC's schedule
Tuesday, 10:53 a.m.
The good news for ABC News: both its prime-time newsmagazines have been renewed for next season.
The bad news: while 20/20 will remain on Fridays, Primetime hasnt been given a regular time slot.
The hour-long program, co-anchored by Diane Sawyer, Cynthia McFadden, Chris Cuomo and John Quiñones, will lose its spot at 10 p.m. on Thursdays in September to make room for a new drama, Six Degrees.
While ABC News executives expect Primetime to get a regular time slot later in the season, ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson said the program will be used throughout the year to fill holes when we need them, often as a limited series.
The move comes as newsmagazines, once major part of the broadcast networks schedules, have declined in popularity in the last decade. Primetime is actually one of the few that have enjoyed a growth in viewership this season.
In a memo to staff, ABC News President David Westin tried to put a positive cast on the change, saying the plan provides us an opportunity to draw upon Primetimes unique innovation, creativity, and skill in jumping on a big story.
Westin stressed that both newsmagazines will be asked to produce at least 48 hours of news programming next season. Even though it won't immediately have a regular time slot, Primetime could actually air more than once a week as a special edition, he said.
We will be looking for special stories and groups of stories that we can program together as limited series that draw special attention, he wrote. If anything, we may see more hours of Primetime this fall than before -- with special hours during the week.
Tidbits from the food line
Monday, 5:31 p.m.
NBC had the crowd at its post upfront party at Rockefeller Center, where ad buyers munched on sesame noodles and mini burgers under a large white tent in the plaza, but the Willliam Morris Agency attracted the cream of the industry at its annual party at the Four Seasons.
CBS's Leslie Moonves held court at a corner table with wife Julie Chen, while NBC's Jeff Zucker and a myriad of other network executives mingled in the tastefully appointed restaurant. An upbeat Aaron Sorkin was swarmed as people congratulated him on his new show, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." Others in attendance: Actor/comedian D.L. Hughley, Fox News' Bill Hemmer, Court TV Chairman Henry Schleiff, NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly, and "Access Hollywood's" Billy Bush.
The main topic of speculation in the crowd: the lineups of the rest of the networks, whose presentations come later in the week. ABC, which goes Tuesday, was tight-lipped about its plans, but word on the street was that both its newsmagazines -- "Primetime" and "20/20" -- have been renewed, much to the relief of the news division.
Digital Diary
Monday, 3:55 p.m.
The airing of the pilot for "Heroes" is almost four months away, but already a fan site has cropped up for the show. www.heroesmedia.com includes photos of the cast, news updates and anything else these rabid fans can get their virtual hands on.
The Banker on "Deal or No Deal" has been writing a blog since mid March, per request of "the geniuses at NBC." From his first 3/17 post at blogs.nbc.com/dealornodeal: "Yes, I am single, and no, working with 26 beautiful women isn't all it's cracked up to be."
Buyer Buzz
Monday, 3:15 p.m.
Brad Adgate, corporate research director, Horizon Media said he thought NBC's presentation "seemed a lot better than last year."
The show he liked most? "30 Rock -- it got the most buzz."
As for "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," "I think they're hoping it's going to be the West Wing for television," Adgate said. "It's hard to gauge. It certainly has star power. It's going up againt 'CSI.' But it's got as good a shot as any. "
Costas and the gang toss a few around
Monday, 3:15 p.m.
The Sunday night team (Costas et al) came onstage with footballs to tout their new program, Football Night in America.
Costas said they want the Sunday night show to be more than a pregame show but the football show of record.
In the most amusing and lively bit of the afternoon, analyst and former Steeler Jerome Bettis and co-host Cris Collinsworth faced off to see who could get a pass all the way from the stage to the balcony. Bettis went first, casting a neat spiral that landed cleanly in the first row of the balcony, causing a commotion usually found in stadiums. One man dove for the ball, only to have it hit him and bounce back into the crowd as he fell over.
Collinsworth nervously went next, casting a wobbly pass that only made it to the back of the orchestra section. Costas quipped that it was like a wounded duck.
Undaunted, Collinsworth grabbed another ball and tried again. This time, he threw a neat spiral that landed further back on the balcony than Bettis'.
The rest of the team then tossed their balls into the front of the audience. Costas threw his to Regis Philbin, who caught it neatly and then went on to snag two more.
No glitz, but NBC draws some laughs
Monday, 2:55 p.m.
NBC opened its afternoon presentation in a decidedly straightforward tone, without the usual glitz or production numbers. But there were some funny bits from actors introducing video clips.
Actors from the networks two Thursday hits, My Name Is Earl and The Office, took turns quipping about what it's like to be on a sleepy NBC night.
I may be the highest paid temp in television, said B.J. Novak (The Office), except for Kevin Reilly.
More than 2000 advertising execs packed into Radio City Music Hall responded with strong applause to NBC's new schedule, with especially loud clapping for Heroes, Friday Night Lights, The Black Donnellys and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
The first glimpse of 30 Rock also seemed to impress the buyers, who gave the comedy loud laughs.
The cast of Studio 60 acknowledged how much is riding on their show. What we need to do is lower expectations, said Matthew Perry, standing on stage with the rest of the actors.
When you think about it, Steven Weber said facetiously, our show doesn't have much going for it at all.
Oh sure. NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly just happened to mention how blown away he and other network executives were by the show. The network aired the first promotional spot for "Studio 60" during Sundays finale of The West Wing.
NBC looks behind the scenes -- twice
Monday, 12:05 p.m.
One of the few comedy pilots to get the nod for a series from NBC was 30 Rock, a satire of a late-night television comedy show starring Saturday Night Lives Tina Fey that will air Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m.
While admitting that it was somewhat of a strange coincidence that the Aaron Sorkin drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, also set behind the scenes at a television show, and 30 Rock have similar themes, NBC President of Entertainment Kevin Reilly insisted that both programs are very different.
Youre going to see Tinas end up being a wacky office comedy and Aarons being kind of an incisive, sexy serial, he said. I think theyre going to end up being apples and oranges. If they were two cop shows, no one would waste a minute of breath on it.
NBC goes deeper into the web
Monday, 10:55 a.m.
NBCs digital strategy - dubbed TV 360 - is a wide-ranging effort to get NBC content onto a variety of platforms. The new initiatives announced Monday include:
- DOTCOMEDY.com, a broadband comedy channel featuring current and classic NBC programming, along with original content like viral videos, blogs, mash-ups and podcasts.
- NBCFIRSTLOOK.com, which will premiere up to four episodes of new series before they air on the network.
- iVillage Live, a new one-hour womens show that will be streamed live on iVillage.com, a newly acquired NBC Universal property.
- A slew of digital components aimed to complement the broadcast programming, including webisodes of The Office, an online, interactive Law & Order: Criminal Intent game and expanded online versions of the comedy sketches on 30 Rock.
Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times
