Dolly Parton, Stephen Colbert and Half-Naked Miley Cyrus: Scenes from the 2015 Network Upfronts

It's been a few weeks now since network upfronts--the week in May when the broadcast networks (and a few cable ones as well) showcase their new shows for advertisers in New York. It's a hectic week, shuffling from one venue to the next, frequently staying out late and keeping tabs on everything that's been picked up, renewed and canceled. But there's plenty of room for surreal moments too--like Miley Cyrus (above) performing, half-naked, at Adult Swim's annual Wednesday night event. (Acts like Outkast, Jay Z, T.I. and M.I.A. have performed there in the past.)

Here are more visual highlights of the network presentations:



If anyone was still worried whether the real Stephen Colbert could be as engaging as the obnoxious "Stephen Colbert" he played on Comedy Central, the host's appearance at CBS' upfront presentation ended those fears. (There was always a lot of the real Colbert in the character he played anyway.) Funny, smart, sharp, engaging... I can't wait to see what he does when "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" premieres on Sept. 8.



C'mon, here he is, parodying Kim Kardashian's Paper magazine cover! What more do you want?



Fine, you want a photo of Colbert sitting next to Leslie Moonves as they wear fake, thick, dark black beards? OK, you're weird. But here you go.



Not too long ago, Fox would highlight "American Idol" throughout its upfront presentation. This year, it was, "American What? Oh yeah, it's canceled after next year. BUT HAVE WE MENTIONED 'EMPIRE'?!!!!" No surprise, Fox wrapped itself in "Empire," and of course they did. It's a tremendous smash. And there's no way we were going to leave the Beacon Theater until the cast came out and sang. And yes they did -- Yazz, Jussie, plus Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. (No "Drip Drop," though!!!)



And nevermind "Idol," when Jennifer Hudson (who, you may recall, didn't win her year on the talent show) blew away the audience during the "Empire" segment.



Dolly Mothereffing Parton came out during the NBC upfront and showed the audience why she's still a legend. (NBC will be airing movies based on her life.)



In an upfront first, NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt accompanied Parton on piano. Dolly told the audience about Bob's dinner parties, and how they always end up around the piano. I'd do almost anything to see that.



Chris Carter, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson. X-Files. Boom.



Also a first CBS upfront for James Corden, whose new "Late Late Show" is already earning critical acclaim and generating plenty of social buzz. CBS execs are very, very pleased.



This man should be pleased. The most powerful host in late night, Jimmy Fallon.



At the CW upfront: Gina Rodriguez and the cast of "Jane the Virgin" are having a moment.



Also at the CW: Stephen Amell ("Arrow") and Grant Gustin ("The Flash") are having another moment.



The CW president Mark Pedowitz, flanked by the cast of the new "Arrow"/"Flash" spinoff "DC's Legends of Tomorrow." Coming midseason.



The CW brings a hot music act to its upfront every year. This time, Of Monsters and Men perfomed.

And OK, here you go. More Miley. Listen, she's nutty, often high and can get pretty unnecessarily vulgar. But then she does have a strong voice, and a commanding presence. (The Flaming Lips joined her on stage at one point, but she easily overshadowed them). Some more pics:

THE SPIN-OFF: Interview with Rick Ludwin, the Dean of Late Night (Listen Now!)

If you're at all a student of TV -- especially the world of late night -- I hope you'll check out the latest edition of our monthly TV podcast on KCRW, The Spin-Off! In this episode, Joe and I are sit down with Rick Ludwin, who ran NBC late night from 1980 to 2012, and was there for all the big moments -- Carson, Letterman, Leno, Conan, Fallon, Meyers. With the late night world undergoing another big transition, there's a lot to talk about:

We pick his brain about Saturday Night Live, famous late night transitions and reflect on the one-year anniversary of Jimmy Fallon as the host of The Tonight Show. We also look ahead in late night, and ask who could possibly replace Jon Stewart and why there's such a severe shortage of women late night hosts. And we talk about the way late night has evolved as television viewing habits has changed. Fortunately, Ludwin thinks late night still has a long future ahead of it, even if it doesn't look the same as it does now.

Listen by clicking below!

My Life, Photobombing Jimmy Fallon's "Tonight Show"

Jimmy Fallon is in Los Angeles this week to tape The Tonight Show -- the first time the show returned here since Jay Leno signed off last year. It also means another opportunity to randomly appear in the closing credits, as Fallon jumps up and down the audience staircase. Above, from last night, I look on as my colleague Rob Moynihan gets a big Bro Hug from Fallon.



Meanwhile, last May, back in New York, I look on as Fallon rushes past.

Your Final Upfronts Recap: A Look at the Week in Pics, Including Outkast, Neon Trees, Alan Cumming's Nipples and Rizzoli & Isles' Selfie

Another week in New York for the annual network upfronts -- when the big dogs pimp their new TV wares to advertisers -- is now long over. But before it's a distant memory and we start watching pilots, here's a quick look at some snapshots from the week that helped coin "eventize" as a new catch phrase and ended several major TV streaks (Most notably: CBS will enter fall without a comedy on Mondays at 9 p.m. for the first time since 1948 -- with a bit of an asterisk in 1988, when the TV writers' strike delayed fall.) Above, Seth Meyers opens NBC's upfront


NBC sales chief Linda Yaccarino touts NBC's return to No. 1


Fred Armisen and the 8G Band perform at the NBC upfront


NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt at the NBC upfront


"The Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon at the NBC upfront


Fallon awards Carson Daly the "Even Whiter Ryan Seacrest" title


Fallon also has a gag for NBC Universal boss Steve Burke


Pitbull, who will host Fox's New Years Eve special this year, opens the Fox upfront


Fox Entertainment Chairman Kevin Reilly proclaims Fox as "America's Next Generation Network"


Fox calls on Andy Samberg to provide a few yuks. First up: Fox's new research system, the "E.N.E.M.A.S."


Also, a few new shows on the horizon, according to Samberg: First up, CBS' "CSI: Mike & Molly." (Everyone's still making "CSI" jokes, 14 years later!)


Also: "CSI: CSI Production Offices"


At ABC, Samberg offers up "The Disney Butt Implant Funtime Hour"


CBS reveals its schedule at its annual morning breakfast, the Wednesday of Upfronts


Another tradition: Turner's annual Wednesday post-upfront lunch. Here, my table mates Eric McCormack ("Perception"), Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander ("Rizzoli & Isles") take a selfie.


At Carnegie Hall, Alan Cumming performs at the CBS upfront.


David Letterman gives his farewell at his final upfronts appearance.


Neon Trees performs at The CW's upfront.



And of course, you can see my whole collection of pics from Adult Swim's Outkast concert here.

Photo Bombing Jimmy Fallon on "The Tonight Show"

While in New York, I attended a taping of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" (thanks to pal Diane for organizing) to see the new set for the first time and have some fun. At the end of each taping, Fallon usually runs into the crowd to shake hands and give high-fives. On Friday, the show must have run short, because there was plenty of time to show Fallon going up and down the aisles. And right before fade to black... there I am!

Above, a screengrab via Twitter from Mark Rosch. And the pic below is my mom, who shot it off the TV screen.

MIKE ON RADIO: Jimmy Fallon, Zombies and Olympic Tears on KCRW's "Press Play"

My now-weekly Tuesday slot on KCRW's "Press Play," hosted by Madeleine Brand. This week: "Jimmy Fallon stepped on stage last night and took over the reigns of the Tonight Show. We talk about the tone he’s striking in his new timeslot. Plus, we discuss the huge boom in apocalyptic TV shows and whether Olympic broadcasters are trying harder than ever to elicit tears from the athletes."

Listen below, it's 18 minutes into the broadcast.

Mike on Radio: Talking with Kevin & Bean About the Leno/Fallon Transition

I was back on KROQ's Kevin & Bean Show on Friday talking about the latest upheaval in the late night wars -- Jay Leno's retirement and the move (next year) of Jimmy Fallon to The Tonight Show. As always, it was a fun conversation with the guys, and Bean even gave me a chance to plug our 60th anniversary issue. Click on the icon below to listen to Friday's show; My interview starts one hour and 10 minutes (1:10) into the podcast.