LONDON -- As the big day draws near, it's not just the bride who may be feeling a little anxious.
With predictions are that it will draw the biggest audience in television history, broadcasters around the world are shifting into their highest gear for the royal wedding, and for the next few days London will become the focus of the world.
"Yes, we're moving to London. Where else would you be?" saysChris Hampson,NBC News' director of international news. "Everybody wants to be here. You can't sit in New York and tell this story. You have to be right in the thick of it."
And the thick of it is exactly where the world's biggest media organizations will be. Take a stroll down London's Mall toward Buckingham Palace, and the bland, tree-lined vista used mainly for bypassing the traffic chaos of Piccadilly has been transformed into a hive of pre-ceremony activity.
The traffic has been shut off, and behind the milling tourists and Japanese camera crews, two huge temporary media studios have been erected opposite either flank of the Queen's London residence. This media zone in Canada Gate will host more than 40 stand-alone studios with full play-out facilities for broadcasters including the BBC, ABC, Sky News, NBC, CBS and Al Jazeera English.
It is just part of a network of locations including Westminster Abbey, the Mall and Trafalgar Square that are host to a raft of specially erected broadcast locations.
"It's our biggest international technical build-out ever," said Hampson, who added that NBC and its sister networks including MSNBC and Telemundo, E! and Bravo began planning wedding coverage even before the royal engagement was announced in November. "We began to focus very early and had a team in London scouting locations and planning for months."
The result is a series of prime locations, including a prestige slot beneath Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square from which NBC will broadcast a special edition ofTodayon Friday kicking off at 4 am EST as well as four studios in the media village at Buckingham Palace.
It is also bringing over a host of anchors includingMeredith Vieira, Matt Lauer, Natalie MoralesandAl Roker.
NBC is far from alone in pulling out all the stops; ABC will have live coverage of the ceremony from London anchored byDiane SawyerandBarbara Walters,and the network will air a special edition ofGood Morning Americafrom London.
CBS is sendingKatie Couricon what could be her swan song for the network. Couric will lead the main wedding coverage and anchor an hourlong news special at 8 p.m. Friday.
CNN will use its London squad as well getting as an insider's take from Piers Morgan,while Fox News is sending over around 50 staff includingShepard SmithandMartha Macullum.
Fox will piggyback on the feed from its sister U.K. network Sky News, which, like all the British broadcasters, is planning wall-to-wall coverage of the event.
Winfrey has become our national confessor, our friendly, neighborhood billionaire philanthropist, the wizard who sprinkles magical dust over every author, entrepreneur, do-gooder and politician within her orbit. What Winfrey doesn't do is as powerful a statement as what she does. How dare she not interview Sarah Palin! The culture, it seems, has declared ownership of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
Winfrey begs to differ - but only to a point. "I feel it's very much my show in that every decision you see on the show has come from that desk," she says, gesturing toward the pale green, bean-shaped table in her office. "The part that belongs to the culture is every single person who has watched . . . who has found or discovered a piece of light from it. Flecks of light, that's what I call it."
United Airlines has unveiled "The Oprah Winfrey Show" farewell season plane to honor the iconic talk show host's 25th and last season on CBS before embarking on running her own cable channel.
The Boeing 757 aircraft is newly painted with imagery from the TV show. The interior also has been redecorated and passengers will be greeted by a special onboard video welcome from Winfrey.
At a send-off event Thursday at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, customers heard a special message from Winfrey before boarding the flight. One passenger will win enough United Mileage Plus miles for a trip around the world. Each customer on the inaugural flight also received a monogrammed "Oprah 25" fleece blanket.
In conjunction with the unveiling of plane, United is launching the "Million Mile Giveaway" -- a sweepstakes that will award one million United Mileage Plus miles to one winner each month through May 2011. Additional prizes include Oprah Store e-cards. Details for the sweepstakes can be found at the airline's dedicated microsite for the promotion: www.unitedmillionmiles.com.
United will fly the plane to and from cities in United's domestic network through May 2011. At the end of the show's season, the plane will be repainted.
Customers and "Oprah" show viewers are encouraged to take photos of the plane and upload them to the plane photo gallery on the sweepstakes Web site. Initial photos on the site include shots of the artists painting the outside of the plane.
Q&As about the plane on United's Web site include: Q: Will Oprah Winfrey be on the Plane? A: No. Oprah Winfrey will not be on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Farewell Season Plane. However, unique to the plane will be an onboard video welcome from Oprah Winfrey.
"As Chicago's hometown airline, United is proud to celebrate The Oprah Winfrey Show's Farewell Season with our customers, employees and 'Oprah' show fans," said Mark Bergsrud, senior vice president of marketing for United, in a statement. "This unique plane represents the global reach of two great Chicago icons."
Wendy Williams, host of the aptly-named “The Wendy Williams Show” decided to weigh in on the hubbub (yes, hubbub) surrounding a recent article by Marie Claire contributor Maura Kelly, on her thought abouts the overweight stars of the new CBS sitcom “Mike and Molly.” Many readers felt Kelly’s comments were insensitive and “fatphobic,” and some even threatened to boycott the magazine until she was fired. Kelly, for her part, issued an apology for her comments, writing that “Believe it or not, I never wanted anyone to feel bullied or ashamed after reading this, and I sorely regret that it upset people so much. A lot of what I said was unnecessary. It wasn’t productive, either.”
On her show Williams, posed the following question to her audience, nothing that, while Kelly apologized, the magazine itself has yet to:
Why do you accept that? I don’t accept that. We get upset about the N-word, we get upset about making fun of gay people, and paraplegics and people with Down Syndrome — but we can make fun of fat people and that’s okay? It’s not okay. Marie Claire, we’ll be waiting for your apology — how about that?
The question remains: Should a magazine, or any other media outlet for that matter, be expected to apologize when it presents content offensive or disagreeable to a portion of its readership?
Entering into the Modern Age of Television, which I now call Hulu.I don’t have a TV anymore.My TV set I had since 4th grade died.I disconnected my Time Warner Cable in March.I have been off the tube ever since.However, I discovered a new way of watching TV, on my laptop computer then on my HTC 4G Sprint phone.TV anytime and anywhere… How you may ask?HULU.com.
Hulu is about to make a big move -- talk of an IPO within the next couple of months appears to be well founded. The timing is right, says BU professor N. Venkatraman, as the economy is expected to pick up in 2011, and the tech sector with it. "Media will be one of those sectors that will be redefined by tech, and Hulu wants to be seen as the leader of the pack."
And I must agree with Professor Venkatraman, www.Hulu.com is the coolest site to me.I haven’t watched network TV in years.For the past 2 -3 years, the TV was parked on the History Channel, TNT with The Closer and Lifetime with reruns of The Golden Girls.Now with the 2010 Fall Season, ABC, CBS and ABC have got my attention with my Top 5 show.If you believe it or not I watch them all thanks to Hulu.
Number 5
Undercovers on NBC
Years into their retirement, a husband and wife team are re-activated as CIA agents.
Very entertaining! I loved it! This new spy-fest feels like a cross between the TV shows "Hart to Hart" and "Alias" and the movie "True Lies." Even though the pilot may have seemed a little lackluster at times, this is usual for pilots, since the script has to incorporate the introduction of brand new characters and situations to the audience as well as a back-story. There is obvious potential for fun and exciting story lines this season, and I'm really looking forward to it! The casting of Boris and Gugu as the main characters is fabulous! They have wonderful chemistry and actually have the "aura" of spy-intelligent tech-geniuses! Also, it is quite refreshing to have a husband and wife team who have a LOVING relationship instead of the unhappy, fighting, "why did I marry you" type of couples running rampant in today's sitcoms. I hope they stick to their guns like "Hart to Hart" and keep this couple in love and in one accord. Movie and TV writers/producers should realize that there REALLY ARE some HAPPY couples out there -- emotionally mature, secure, and enjoying their relationships! It's time to reflect that segment of the population on screen too! Anyway, so far, the show looks like an adorable winner! Loved the globetrotting locations too! Can't wait for the next episode!
Number 4
The Event on NBC
When a man goes looking for his missing girlfriend, he stumbles upon a government conspiracy that is bigger than the president himself.
We have Sean Walker (played by Jason Ritter of Three’s Company) on a plane - and he manages to get a gun onto the plane. Seriously? So you're asking us to completely suspend reality in the opening scene, because apparently the writers have never been through an airport security screening. Fine, then we go back in time to have a flashback. Cool - we need some set-up.
So Sean and his soon-to-be fiancé' Leila Buchanan (played by Sarah Roemer) are going on a cruise. Leila is a single mom, with her daughter being left with Leila's parents. Okay, fine. Then we flash forward. Then we flash back. That continues happening all throughout the whole episode - and basically ruined the whole episode.
Though some believe it was a bit "busy" and didn't enjoy the flashbacks, this is something a lot of shows or series for that matter are doing.It seems confusing at the time it’s a set up so that in future shows you say,” so that's what that was about, now I get it." It leaves the viewer acknowledging these little "treasures" that give explanation to something previously seen. It wouldn't be any fun if everything were explained as the show progressed. It's the show that makes us think & piece together information viewed so we can try and figure how things are connected and then when revealed we either are proud we got it right or realize we didn't take all the facts into account and got it wrong. It almost makes the show an "interactive" experience & then we sit a discuss it with co-workers trying to figure it out. I guess more lazy minded viewers would like it explained bit this way it’s so much more exciting. You wouldn't want a mystery novel to tell you the killer or meaning of the clues in the first chapter, you read on to see how it relates. These are just my opinions; everyone else has a right to theirs. I loved it.
Number 3
Modern Family on ABC
A satirical look at three different families and the trials they face in each of their own uniquely comedic ways.
Give this show a chance. I really kind of watched it against my will, but figured I'd give it a shot. I bet out of a hundred pilots, I would like maybe one - this was that one. I literally laughed out loud at numerous parts - the way that it comes together is interesting / well-done - each couple has an interesting balance - great dialog (IMDB won't let me spell it with a "ue" at the end) - original characters - I'm impressed.
I don't think I've ever seen ABC come out with something in this vein. Normally their shows are a bit watered down, but this is edgy and as fresh as anything I've seen hit network TV. I know that comparisons to Arrested Development will be frequent, but I think that this has more structure. The characters aren't as wacky, but they're more believable and easier to sympathize with in my eyes. Tremendous acting, great kid actors - I forwarded the pilot to a bunch of people already, and I feel lucky that I got to watch it before it came out officially.
Number 2
Desperate Housewives on ABC
Secrets and truths unfold through the lives of female friends in one suburban neighborhood, after the mysterious suicide of a neighbor.
This season we got a beauty queen on the block.A REAL QUEEN!!!LOL
After Renee (played by Vanessa Williams) begins spending a lot of time with Tom, an angry Lynette feels she's trying to sabotage their marriage; Bree fires Keith without warning when she suddenly finds herself falling for him; Susan is wracked with guilt about lying to Mike about her new, risque side job; Gabrielle rushes to the hospital after learning that Bree accidentally hit Juanita with the car; and Paul introduces the women of Wisteria Lane to his new wife.
My Favorite HULU Show this season.
Number 1
Outsourced on NBC
A manager is sent to India to oversee a staff of customer service representatives.
Never really wanted to go to Mumbai, but this apparent TV sitcom take on a 2006 movie (didn't see it) about a mid-level management type in charge of a new novelty telemarketing office in India gives it an almost college campus-type setting - complete with cafeteria - that almost makes it look like an interesting place to go. The culture clash between mid-stream, Midwestern America and the Indian call center employees could've been ugly or boring. This is neither. The light relationship banter, reminiscent of "Better off Ted," keeps the characters interesting, and sets the stage to await further developments. There's obviously a lot more rich cultural material to mine. Have to admit, the novelties are interesting enough that you wonder, if someone is actually selling them somewhere, how much would they be?
For those who haven’t been anxiously counting down the days until New York Fashion Week, you probably aren’t aware of a little event called Fashion’s Night Out. This huge, globe-spanning extravaganza kicks off NY Fashion Week, which showcases the spring/summer collections of the current top designers. The event begins tonight, Sept. 10, 2010; it’s centered in New York City and is promoted by Mayor Bloomberg, “Vogue” and the CFDA, but is celebrated in cities across the country and in many countries around the globe.
Fashion’s Night Out gives the chance for shoppers to get exclusive access to many stores and the opportunity to shop with the stars and see big names in fashion such as Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and tons of supermodels up close in person. The second annual event, whose slogan is “Shop for Something Good,” is the biggest shopping event of the year, with top designers like Alexander Wang, Chanel, Stella McCartney, Byron Lars and Proenza Schouler opening their doors to the public and encouraging customers to shop.
In addition, mass retailing companies such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Sony Style and American Apparel have participating stores across the states. On top of the designer merchandise sure to fly off the shelves, the collection of Fashion’s Night Out merchandise is equally well-known and is sold with a purpose. A percentage of the proceeds of the tanks, classic tees, tote bags, hoodies and more go directly to the New York City AIDS Fund.
On Tuesday night, Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of American “Vogue,” and her team staged “Fashion’s Night Out: The Show,” which displayed models wearing the looks that fashion editors picked for Fall 2010. The event was intended to entice the public to come out on Friday and begin shopping. Over 1,500 patrons forked over $250 per ticket to see the biggest public fashion show in New York City history, which featured models like Gisele Bundchen, Naomi Campbell and Lara Stone working the runway along with 150 other big names.
The location of the show was the new home of New York Fashion Week, the Lincoln Center. Each of the 157 looks showcased on the runway were based on the trends of plaids, twenties glamour, rock chic, romantic minimalism, ladylike ensembles, utilitarian outerwear and bohemian. Though the show only lasted 20 minutes, including the runway show and a performance by Pharrell Williams, the show executed its mission of exciting the crowd for the coming weekend extravaganza.
Fashion’s Night Out marks a new kind of retail marketing, sparking excitement in fashion again and providing patrons with a fun night out instead of the regular old shopping trip. The official website for the event even allows you to plan out the entire evening to include celebrity appearances, free gifts with purchase, refreshments, pop-up shops, contests, DJs, designer appearances, exhibitions and tons more.
Fashion’s Night Out is the first and only event of its kind, thought up by fashion leader Anna Wintour in an effort to revive the fashion community after the effects of the recession. After such a huge turnout last year, this weekend is sure to see a jam-packed New York City.
For those of us who unfortunately can’t make it to NYC for this star-studded event, CBS is airing a special Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 10 p.m., and of course, the official merchandise is available online to shop for and order, so you can celebrate the event wherever you may be.
