Reviews of the New Fall Shows 2014

For the last five years I've attended PaleyFest, an event at the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles. At it, the new fall broadcast network shows are premiered, one network per evening. Following are my reviews of this fall's new shows. MORE

My Top Ten Blog Posts

Following are ten blog posts and op-eds which best reflect my writing about the entertainment industry. MORE

Broadcast Networks Don’t Understand “Family Entertainment”

Last week, the annual PURPOSE Family Entertainment and Faith-Based Summit convened in Beverly Hills. All the convention’s attendees demonstrated a clear understanding of the concepts of “faith” and “family” entertainment — except America’s broadcast networks. MORE

ABC President: Indecency in Family Hour "Not an Issue"

ABC has announced that it will be moving its sex drama Grey’s Anatomy into the Family Hour next fall. When asked about the move, ABC President Paul Lee said showing explicit content when children are in the audience is “much less relevant than it was five years ago.” MORE

Hollywood's New Trend: Naked Dating

Nudity has long been a staple on premium cable networks. But now, “naked dating” programs are poised to become the next big thing on basic cable – and even broadcast – TV. MORE

Broadcast TV: Champion of Decency?

In his keynote address at the group’s annual trade show, National Association of Broadcasters President Gordon Smith boasted about broadcasters dedication to “the public interest.” But there are plenty of ways the networks aren’t meeting their obligations. MORE

NBC's Newest Star: Charles Manson

NBC is already home to a TV series glorifying gruesome, gory serial killing and cannibalism on its series Hannibal. And this week, the network announced an upcoming series that will make a hero out of sadistic mass murderer Charles Manson. MORE

MTV Sex Show Boss Producing Church-Themed Drama

David Janollari, the former MTV boss who pushed dramas about minors engaging in drug use and graphic sex at teenage audiences, is now producing a new prime-time series for NBC – about a Christian church. MORE

TV Writer: Sex on Sitcoms Not Gratuitous

TV today is infamous for its sex-slathered sitcoms, from Dads to Two and a Half Men. But during a recent Television Critics Association interview, one TV writer claimed that sex on sitcoms is not gratuitous. MORE

“About Families” Not the Same as “Safe FOR Families”

Hollywood’s latest scam aimed at viewers is its claim that, because a program is ABOUT a family, the program is therefore appropriate for family viewing. But this is a lie – and this fall’s new “comedies” prove it. MORE

Fall 2013 New Show Preview: NBC

NBC’s fall programming includes one outstanding – but graphically brutal and violent – drama, and several inoffensive but disposable situation comedies. MORE

Fall 2013 New Show Preview: ABC

In addition to several highly-anticipated new dramas, ABC is also introducing a number of comedies which are not particularly family-friendly this fall. MORE

Fall 2013 New Show Preview: Fox

This fall, Fox has followed the success of fantasy-based programming on other networks with two such series (both of which contain graphic violence), along with several new comedies of varying quality. MORE

Fall 2013 New Show Preview: CW

As a network created specifically to target a younger demographic, the CW has always mirrored current trends in entertainment. This season, the network moves away from its signature teen sex soaps to a greater emphasis on science-fiction, fantasy, and horror. MORE

Fall 2013 New Show Preview: CBS

In the last decade, CBS has primarily served up two kinds of programs in prime time: crime/suspense procedurals, and sleazy sex comedies. This fall, the network shows no inclination to change. MORE

NBC Commits to “Immaculate Conception” Drama

NBC will air a drama allegedly centered around the religious doctrine of the Immaculate Conception -- created by the man behind MTV's teen-sex-and-drug drama Skins.MORE

Lament for a Wonder Woman

The star of the 1970’s TV series Wonder Woman will be returning to TV this fall...on CBS’ sleazy sex comedy Two and a Half Men. MORE

Hollywood Writers Attack Decency, Democracy

Recently, the Writers Guild of America (West) filed their “reply comments” on the Federal Communications Commission’s proposed change in enforcement of laws against broadcast decency. In their comments, the Guild launched a vitriolic attack on broadcast decency, the PTC – and the American people. MORE

Entertainment Industry Demands “Right” to Air Indecency

Last month, over 100,000 Americans filed public comments with the Federal Communications Commission, asking the FCC enforce broadcast decency laws. This month, the entertainment industry filed its comments – and arrogantly demanded the “right” to flood American homes with indecent content. MORE

Why Broadcasters Are Afraid

As can be seen by their actions last week in demanding that the Federal Communications Commission completely abandon enforcing broadcast decency laws, the broadcast networks are in panic mode. There are two reasons for this. MORE