“We didn’t create the wave; we’re just surfing the wave.” So says FX Networks Chairman John Landgraf, the guy who coined the phrase “Peak TV” five or so years ago. He doesn’t always sound like John From Cincinnati, or the creator of that series, David Milch. It is just that Landgraf is a thoughtful fellow
Here at brioux.tv, we’re making August the smallest month — TV listings-wise. Several reasons: there’s a lot going on, including the Television Critics Association’s semi-annual press tour, albeit a virtual edition, and, oh yeah, my daughter’s wedding. There’s also really nice weather outside and so you’re getting a late start and fewer recommendations. If you
In the summer of 2010, Nichelle Nichols was one of the featured guests at a session of the Television Critics Association press tour. She was there as one of the “Pioneers of Television,” a PBS series that saluted older stars. Nichols, who passed away July 30 at 89, was joined at the session by Martin
Did Tony Dow really have to die twice? The Leave it to Beaver star was first reported dead Tuesday, but that premature message was quickly retracted. Dow clung to one more day before officially succumbing to cancer on Wednesday, July 27. He was 77. It is easy to forgive his wife Lauren for that first
Back in the early ’90’s. before he became a late-night TV host, Conan O’Brien and his Harvard writing pal Greg Daniels (creator of the American version of The Office) decided to take a road trip to Vancouver. Turning on the TV in the hotel, they became mesmerized by this strange Canadian series about a B.C.
Think casting The Sopranos was easy? Fagetaboutit. Tony Sirico originally read for the part of Uncle Junior on the award-winning HBO series. After the audition, creator and executive producer David Chase called the actor at home with a “good news, bad news” scenario. The bad news was that Sirico did not get the part of
Expectations were high when Patrick Watson became chairman of the CBC in 1989. Many in the creative end of the television industry cheered that initial impression that the inmates were finally in charge of the asylum. Alas, Watson, who died at 92 on July 4 in Ontario, was as powerless to re-invent and reinvigorate Canada’s
Larry Storch, who died July 8 just six months shy of 100, was everywhere on ’60s television, one of the busiest second bananas on the screen. The New York native seldom headlined and more often guest starred in dozens of sitcoms, variety shows and dramas. To many, however, he’ll always be best known as Corporal