I survived the great Chevy Chase Show debacle of 1993. Members of the Television Critics Association, in Los Angeles for our semi-annual network television press tour, were shuttled to the home of the doomed talk show in advance of the premiere. It was not that much in advance as an ambitious makeover had not finished
We called him “President for Life” of the Television Critics Association, but Eric Kohanik was always really its greatest ambassador, the glue that held the whole thing together. The TCA’s semi-annual press tours, prized by TV critics and editors across North America for unequalled access to executives and talent, would not have lasted as long
With semi-annual press tours to Pasadena, Calif., shut down, two colleagues from the Television Critics Association, Roger Catlin from Washington and Neal Justin from Minneapolis, decided to cross the border into Toronto. These guys go everywhere — they even went to the Red Skelton Museum in Vincennes, Indiana. Neal, who had already arranged a Second
One of the best lines ever at a Television Critics Association press tour: Tina Fey was at the podium receiving a TCA Award for her series 30 Rock. She looked out over the gathering and declared that it was a great time to be in broadcast television. “It’s like being in vaudeville in the ’60s.”
While it is sad to see him gone, George Foreman had a happier ending than many of his world champion peers from the golden age of boxing. The 6-foot-3, two-time heavyweight champion passed away March 21 at 76. While he may always be remembered for being upset by a rebounding Muhammad Ali in 1974, his
Because Donald Trump was once host of a reality show called The Apprentice, I was able to meet him on a couple of occasions. Once in his office on the 25th floor of Trump Tower in Manhattan, but that’s a story for another day. The story below is a little more urgent. Today, Tuesday, November
Bob Newhart made me laugh so many times over the years, especially on his first hit TV sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78). I’ll never forget, therefore, the one time I made him laugh. It was at a Television Critics Association Awards presentation, at least a dozen years ago. I believe our group were bestowing
Eleven years ago, in 2012, Tony Bennett put on a show for TV critics in Pasadena, Calif. The legendary singer, who passed away Friday in New York City at 96, was brought to the Television Critics Association during a January press tour by PBS. The U.S. public broadcaster has often treated reporters to a musical