There may be a tug-of-war brewing in Washington, D.C., over whether the Federal Trade Commission or the Justice Department will join the Federal Communications Commission in reviewing Comcast's anticipated deal to take control of General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal, which is expected to be announced as early as Thursday.
Neither the FTC nor the Justice Department would comment on who should review the transaction. Since the marriage of Comcast and NBC brings together the nation'slargest cable and broadband provider with a major content provider whose assets include NBC, Telemundo and USA Network, Bravo, MSNBC and CNBC, both can make a case for it.
Public advocacy groups are already making noise that the Comcast-NBC entity would have too much power over content and distribution and would need severe restrictions. Andy Schwartzman, head of the Media Access Project and an expert at giving good sound bite, called the deal "the most important media merger since Lucy met Desi."If recent history is any guide, the Justice Department might have the inside track. It reviewed Liberty's purchase of DirecTV, is handling the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster and also oversaw Disney-ABC and Viacom-CBS. The FTC, however, did review AOL and Time Warner. Considering how that one worked out, maybe Comcast and NBC should root for the Justice Department to get their deal.
Typically, the FTC and the Justice Department would figure out between themselves who has dibs on the deal. Both would not get involved because that would be overkill. In the unlikely scenario they can't decide amongst themselves and decide not to flip a coin, then the administration would probably step in and make the choice for them.Â
With regards to Congress, the likely first stop for Comcast and NBC will be the Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee. A hearing could be held on the deal before the end of the year. The subcommittee is chaired by Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), who in the past has expressed concern about the way cable programmers bundle their channels together to operators. Interestingly, comedian-turned-senator Al Franken (D-Minn) is a member of that subcommittee too. Not sure if his time on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" will mean he has to recuse himself from any hearings.
-- Joe Flint
No 'Lie' &mdash the cast of 'The Shield' to reunite on Fox drama
The cast of the great FX drama "The Shield" will be reuniting this spring -- on the Fox drama "Lie to Me."
"The Shield" was created by Shawn Ryan, who's now the showrunner of "Lie to Me," which has become an increasingly addictive drama in its second season. The show, as you probably know, stars Tim Roth as Cal Lightman, a man who can tell via facial expressions and body language when someone is lying. But what these people are lying about and why -- those questions often get interesting answers.
The "Shield" cast members reuniting for the upcoming episode include Catherine Dent, Kenny Johnson, David Marciano, Benito Martinez, Cathy Cahlin Ryan and David Rees Snell. Details about the episode, which will air in the "late spring," are below. "Lie to Me" is pre-empted on Dec. 7, and it will air its final episode of 2009 on Dec. 14. Details on that episode, "Tractor Man," are below. (The photo at right is of David Rees Snell and Catherine Dent in an episode of "The Shield.")
Regarding "Lie to Me's" return, that "late spring" time frame is frustratingly vague, but that's because Fox has not quite figured out when Lightman and his crack team of lie-busters will return. "Lie to Me" has gotten a full-season order -- a definite vote of confidence from the network -- but once "American Idol" returns Jan. 12, space on the Fox schedule gets scarce and thus "Lie's" return is up in the air.
But it's good to know it is returning. Not only have the stories gotten good and meaty, but I'm digging the Loker-Torres tension. Although, for the love of all that is holy, I don't want the show to go in the direction "House" has gone in -- toward full-on soap territory. I'm not hating on soaps, I just don't think an overdose of soapiness works either at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital or at the Lightman Group. The occasional dose of Torres-Loker chemistry? I'm totally cool with that, given that the actors play it so well.
(And now that we're talking chemistry, did I detect a tiny bit of attraction between Reynolds and Foster in this week's fun "Fold Equity" episode? I could be wrong about that, but hmm, that might be worth investigating. And so yes, it does look as though I'm advocating that "Lie" go at least a little soapy. Hey, why not! These Lightman Group folks need a break occasionally from looking into human nature's darker corners.)
By the way, the Fox mid-season schedule was released when I was on vacation last week. I've posted it after the "Lie to Me"/"Shield" information below. A few thoughts and notes on Fox's mid-season plans:
"Idol," as noted, returns Jan. 12. "Glee" will be taking a break until April 13. I know! That's a long way to wait for some quality time with Sue Sylvester and Mr. Schuester. I'm not keen on the long break, but if we're talking freshman shows that are taking extra-long breaks, I'm more worried about "V," which returns in March on ABC. "Glee" will have "Idol" to help re-launch it, but "V" -- a semi-serialized sci-fi drama that had a few rocky patches in its otherwise promising fall run -- won't have that kind of launchpad when it returns. Fingers crossed that the aliens fare as well as the show choir when both programs return in the spring. "Human Target" debuts Jan. 17. I didn't love the pilot for this action show (I was mixed-to-meh on it), but I do like the cast a whole lot (Chi McBride, Mark Valley, Jackie Earle Haley), so I'll stick with it and see what develops. "24" returns Jan. 17. "Fringe" will return with new episodes in the new year, but after its Feb. 4 outing, the show takes a break until April 1. A new show, "Past Life," debuts Feb. 11. "Dollhouse" returns this Friday and airs two episodes per week this week, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18. The show's final set of episodes air in January and its series finale arrives Jan. 22. Watch this space for an interview with Joss Whedon, which should be posted some time Thursday.OK, all the Fox press releases on "Lie to Me" and the network's mid-season plans are below.
"Lie to Me's" "Shield" reunion press release:
CATHERINE DENT, KENNY JOHNSON, DAVID MARCIANO, BENITO MARTINEZ, CATHY CAHLIN RYAN AND DAVID REES SNELL OF “THE SHIELD†REUNITE
FOR UPCOMING EPISODE OF “LIE TO ME†AIRING THIS SPRING ON FOX
Cast members from the critically acclaimed series “The Shield,†including Catherine Dent, Kenny Johnson, David Marciano, Benito Martinez, Cathy Cahlin Ryan and David Rees Snell, will reunite for an upcoming episode of LIE TO ME airing this spring on FOX. LIE TO ME is executive-produced by Shawn Ryan, who won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series on “The Shield.â€
In the “Pied Piper†episode, DR. CAL LIGHTMAN (Tim Roth) is a witness at the execution of JASON WILKIE (Marciano), a prisoner he helped convict in the murder of a child 17 years ago. When the victim’s aunt and uncle, FAYE SHERIDAN (Dent) and CHARLIE SHERIDAN (Martinez), are targeted again, Lightman must face the possibility he sent an innocent man to his death. Determined to uncover the truth, Lightman turns to MICHAEL WILKIE (Snell), Jason’s younger brother, and BETH LANSFORD (Ryan), Jason’s ex-girlfriend, for more information on what may have happened to 8-year-old Rex Sheridan. The pair lead Lightman to MALCOLM HESSLER (Johnson), a photographer who becomes the key suspect in the case.
LIE TO ME is the compelling drama series inspired by the scientific discoveries of a real-life psychologist who can read clues embedded in the human face, body and voice to expose the truth and lies in criminal investigations. Dr. Cal Lightman heads a team of experts who assist federal law enforcement, government agencies and local police with their most difficult cases. The series also stars Kelli Williams, Monica Raymund, Brendan Hines, Mekhi Phifer and Hayley McFarland.
Info on the Dec. 14 episode of "Lie to Me":
"Tractor Man": "Duringa political protest in Washington, D.C., a disgruntled farmer parks hisexplosives-packed tractor near the Treasury Department building,forcing Lightman and his team to make some crucial life-or-deathdecisions. Meanwhile, a third-grade field trip gets stuck in theLightman Group offices, and Loker has to play babysitter."
Fox's mid-season press release:
FOX ANNOUNCES 2009-2010 MIDSEASON SCHEDULE
AMERICAN IDOL RETURNS WITH TWO-NIGHT SEASON PREMIERE
TUESDAY, JAN. 12 AND WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13
NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES OUR LITTLE GENIUS DEBUTS
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13
NEW ACTION DRAMA HUMAN TARGET PREVIEWS
DURING EXTENDED PRIMETIME SUNDAY, JAN. 17 AND
MAKES ITS SERIES PREMIERE WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20
24 STARTS THE CLOCK DURING TWO-NIGHT, FOUR-HOUR EVENT
SUNDAY, JAN. 17 AND MONDAY, JAN. 18
CELEBRATE THE BEST. 20 YEARS. EVER. OF THE SIMPSONS
WITH THE SIMPSONS 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: IN 3-D! ON ICE!
AND MILESTONE 450TH EPISODE SUNDAY, JAN. 10
GORDON RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES TURNS UP THE HEAT
FRIDAY, JAN. 29
NEW THRILLER PAST LIFE EMERGES THURSDAY, FEB. 11
AND NEW COMEDY SONS OF TUCSON DEBUTS SUNDAY, MARCH 14
GLEE ROCKS ITS FALL FINALE WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9
AND RETURNS WITH ALL-NEW EPISODES TUESDAY, RIL 13
FRINGE AIRS WINTER FINALE THURSDAY, FEB. 4
AND RESURFACES WITH ALL-NEW EPISODES THURSDAY, RIL 1
LIE TO ME PICKED UP FOR THE BACK NINE EPISODES BRINGING
THE ORDER TO A FULL SEASON
FOXis announcing premiere dates of new and returning series as well asrevisions to its 2009-2010 midseason schedule. FOX also has ordered afull season of the sophomore drama LIE TO ME.
Januarystarts off on a high note when the ninth season of AMERICAN IDOL,television's No. 1 series, begins with a two-night premiere Tuesday, Jan. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Immediately following AMERICAN IDOL on Jan. 13(9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), FOX unveils the not-to-be-missed series debut ofOUR LITTLE GENIUS, a new unscripted series that features America's mostgifted kids as they are tested with some of the most challenging anddifficult questions that only a remarkable little genius could answer.
A special extended primetime event on Sunday, Jan. 17kicks off with the NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF (4:00 PM-CC ET live/1:00PM-CC PT live), which leads into the explosive series preview of HUMANTARGET (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), the new full-throttle, action-packed dramaabout a unique private contractor (Mark Valley) who will stop atnothing even if it means becoming a human target to save his clients.The special primetime event concludes with the first installment of thepulse-pounding two-night, four-hour premiere of 24 (9:00-11:00 PMET/PT). The season premiere of 24 clocks in for two more hours ofaction Monday, Jan. 18 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and the season premiere of HUMAN TARGET airs Wednesday, Jan. 20 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) following AMERICAN IDOL (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).
On Sunday, Jan. 10,FOX presents a special SIMPSONS event beginning with the animatedseries' milestone 450th episode, Once Upon a Time in Springfield(8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), in which BART (Nancy Cartwright) and MILHOUSE(Pamela Hayden) try to help KRUSTY (Dan Castellaneta) regain hispopularity after network executives force him to restructure the formatof his television show by hiring a female sidekick, PRINCESS PENELOPE(guest voice Anne Hathaway). Then, Academy Award-nominated filmmakerMorgan Spurlock (Super Size Me, 30 Days) will present TheSimpsons 20th Anniversary Special: in 3-D! on Ice! (8:30-9:30 PMET/PT). The documentary special examines the global phenomenon that isTHE SIMPSONS and serves as the momentous conclusion to the Best. 20Years. Ever., a year-long global celebration of THE SIMPSONS thatlaunched in January 2009.
Chef Gordon Ramsay steps out of his own kitchen to serve up a new season of KITCHEN NIGHTMARES on Friday, Jan. 29(9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Each week, Chef Ramsay will try to help turnaround some of the most unsanitary and unsuccessful restaurants in NewYork, New Jersey, Florida and California on the verge of closing theirdoors forever.
PASTLIFE, a new drama series inspired by the book The Reincarnationistabout detectives who investigate the world of the unexplained, will bowwith a two-hour series premiere Thursday, Feb. 11 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and will make its time period premiere Thursday, Feb. 18 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
SONSOF TUCSON, the new family comedy from Justin Berfield (Malcolm in theMiddle), Emmy Award winner Todd Holland (Wonderfalls) and MatthewCarlson (Samantha Who?) about three young brothers who hire a charming,wayward schemer to stand in as their father when their real one goes toprison, debuts Sunday, March 14 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT).
AMERICAN IDOL sings on Tuesdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) when it makes its time period premiere Jan. 19 followed by the time period premiere of OUR LITTLE GENIUS (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and 24 syncs up for its time period premiere Monday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
After its fall finale Wednesday, Dec. 9 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), GLEE returns from its interlude with a score of all-new episodes on a new night beginning Tuesday, April 13 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). FRINGE delves into its winter finale Thursday, Feb. 4 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and then resurfaces with new cases beginning Thursday, April 1 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Joss Whedon's DOLLHOUSE goes out with a bang with its series finale Friday, Jan. 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
REC FOX 2009-2010 MIDSEASON SCHEDULE
(All times ET/PT except as noted)
MONDAY
Monday, Jan. 4:
7:30 PM-CC ETTOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL (LIVE)
Monday, Jan. 18:
8:00-10:00 PM 24 (2-Night / 4-Hour Season Premiere, Part 2)
Mondays, beginning Jan. 25:
8:00-9:00 PMHOUSE
9:00-10:00 PM24 (Time Period Premiere)
****************************
TUESDAY
Tuesday, Jan. 5:
7:30 PM-CC ETFEDEX ORANGE BOWL (LIVE)
Tuesday, Jan. 12:
8:00-10:00 PMAMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 1)
Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 19:
8:00-9:00 PMAMERICAN IDOL (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PMOUR LITTLE GENIUS (Time Period Premiere)
Tuesdays, beginning April 13:
8:00-9:00 PMAMERICAN IDOL
9:00-10:00 PMGLEE (Time Period Premiere)
***************************
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, Jan. 13:
8:00-9:00 PMAMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 2)
9:00-10:00 PMOUR LITTLE GENIUS (Series Premiere)
-more-
FOX 2009-2010 MIDSEASON SCHEDULE Page 4
Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 20:
8:00-9:00 PMAMERICAN IDOL
9:00-10:00 PMHUMAN TARGET (Series Premiere)
***************************
THURSDAY
Thursdays, beginning Jan. 14 (no change to lineup):
8:00-9:00 PMBONES (All-New Episodes)
9:00-10:00 PMFRINGE (All-New Episodes)
Thursday, Feb. 4:
8:00-9:00 PMBONES
9:00-10:00 PMFRINGE (Winter Finale)
Thursday, Feb. 11:
8:00-10:00 PMPAST LIFE (Two-Hour Series Premiere)
Thursdays, beginning Feb. 18:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PMPAST LIFE (Time Period Premiere)
Thursdays, beginning April 1:
8:00-9:00 PMBONES
9:00-10:00 PMFRINGE (Time Period Premiere)
***************************
FRIDAY
Friday, Jan. 1:
8:00 PM-CC ETALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL (LIVE)
Fridays, beginning Jan. 8:
8:00-9:00 PMBONES (Encore Episodes)
9:00-10:00 PMDOLLHOUSE (All-New Episodes)
Friday, Jan. 22:
8:00-9:00 PMBONES (Encore Episode)
9:00-10:00 PMDOLLHOUSE (Series Finale)
Fridays, beginning Jan. 29:
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE (Encore Episodes)
9:00-10:00 PMKITCHEN NIGHTMARES (Season Premiere)
**************************
-more-
FOX 2009-2010 MIDSEASON SCHEDULE Page 5
SATURDAY
Saturdays (no change to lineup):
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PMCOPS
9:00-10:00 PMAMERICA'S MOST WANTED
11:00 PM-MidnightTHE WANDA SYKES SHOW
Midnight-12:30 AMSIT DOWN, SHUT UP
***************************
SUNDAY
Sunday, Jan. 10:
8:00-8:30 PMTHE SIMPSONS (450th Milestone Episode)
8:30-9:30 PMTHE SIMPSONS 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: IN 3-D! ON ICE!
9:30-10:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW
Sunday, Jan. 17:
4:00 PM-CC ETNFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF (LIVE)
8:00-9:00 PM HUMAN TARGET (Series Preview)
9:00-11:00 PM 24 (2-Night / 4-Hour Season Premiere, Part 1)
Sunday, Jan. 24:
6:00 PM-CC ETNFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (LIVE)
Sundays, beginning Jan. 31 (no change to lineup):
8:00-8:30 PMTHE SIMPSONS (All-New Episodes)
8:30-9:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW (All-New Episodes)
9:00-9:30 PMFAMILY GUY (All-New Episodes)
9:30-10:00 PMAMERICAN DAD (All-New Episodes)
Sunday, March 14:
8:00-8:30 PMTHE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM SONS OF TUCSON (Series Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PMFAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PMTHE CLEVELAND SHOW (Time Period Premiere)
[EDITOR'S NOTE 1: LIE TO ME will return to the schedule in the late spring, and TIL DEATH will return to the schedule at a later date.]
[EDITOR'S NOTE 2: THE CLEVELAND SHOW takes over the timeslot previously held by AMERICAN DAD, which will return to the schedule at a later date.]
[EDITOR'S NOTE 3: THESIMPSONS milestone 450th episode and The Simpsons 20th AnniversarySpecial: in 3-D! on Ice! special, which were previously announced toair Thursday, Jan. 14, are now scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 10.]
'Ovo' is Cirque du Soleil's first female-directed show
As Cirque du Soleil swings into the Bay Area with its U.S. premiere of 'Ovo,' the French Canadian troupe is celebrating not only its 25th anniversary of popping eyeballs and dropping jaws around the globe but also a historic breakthrough. It's the first time in the company's history, from its start as a ragtag band of street performers to its current status as a global entertainment juggernaut, that one of its high-flying spectacles has been directed by a woman.
Edward Burtynsky's Obsession With Oil
Edward Burtynsky will go to great lengths to get the perspective he wants for a photo. "If it's 300 feet, then I'll go to 300 feet," he said before a recent lecture at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where his wo...
BOOKS-US: Hawkish "Israel Lobby" More Bark Than Bite?
WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (IPS)The Nov. 25 announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of a "moratorium" on settlement construction brought very different responses from the Jewish American "pro-Israel" groups J-Street and the heavyweight American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), calling attention to the increasing divide within the American Jewish community.
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