KCRW's The Spin-Off: Recapping the Broadcast Network 2016 Upfronts

On the latest edition of KCRW's The Spin-Off, Joe and I are joined by the Hollywood Reporter's Dan Fienberg to talk about the network upfronts:

The network television upfronts are an annual ritual in New York where the broadcast networks present new and upcoming shows to advertisers. Even though the TV landscape is changing, the broadcasts networks are still by far the biggest game in town, and this year's upfronts were predicted to do about $9 billion worth of business.

In this episode, we share what looks like the high and low points of the coming TV season and if networks giving up some of their cable envy and embracing being big and broad is a good thing.

Then, Spin-off host Joe Adalian recently published a long read that's a look inside the business of "Peak TV." The landscape is growing in a way we haven't seen in years, which means it's easier to find work, but harder to get really rich, since the money is being more spread around.

We also talk about Michael Lombardo's recent departure from HBO and what it means for the cable network that's been struggling in the drama department recently. But don't freak out -- the network still rules comedy and has overcome drama dry spells before.

Listen below!

Final Upfronts Wrap-Up: Priyanka Chopra, Mariah Carey, James Corden and Nicki Minaj Take Over New York

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Another week in New York for the annual network upfronts -- when the big dogs pimp their new TV wares to advertisers -- ended over a week ago. And as I wrote for Indiewire, the big story of the year was broadcast networks acting, well, like broadcast networks again.

It feels like a rather antiquated practice, yet the broadcast networks still pull in around $9 billion annually -- so it's still a pretty big deal. We don't obsess about the schedules quite as much as we used to, but it's still a fun part of the pomp and circumstance. The networks still put on a show for advertisers -- including Adult Swim's annual late-night Wednesday event, which this year featured Nicki Minaj (above). More highlights from the week:


James Corden does a "Hamilton" parody at the CBS upfront.


Priyanka Chopra opens the ABC upfront.


CBS gives us a sneak peek of the new "Star Trek" series' logo.


Fitz and the Tantrums performs at The CW upfront.


Mariah Carey makes a grand entrance at the NBC upfront.


Kiefer Sutherland introduces his new series "Designated Survivor" at the ABC upfront.


ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey introduces Jimmy Kimmel.


Fox jabs at CBS, notes that "Gotham's" new villain was "Lex Moonves."


NBC Universal stars at the upfront pose behind Kate McKinnon (as Ellen DeGeneres), parodying Ellen's Oscar selfie.


At the Fox upfront, Homer Simpson reminds us that "The Simpsons" will hit an astounding 600 episodes next year.


The "Downward Dog" looms over ABC stars.


"Hamilton" was hot this upfront. Jimmy Fallon did his own parody as well.


Rachel Bloom and Gina Rodriguez on stage at the CW upfront.


Stephen Colbert at Carnegie Hall for CBS' upfront.


The cast of "Empire" performs at Fox's upfront.


The cast of "The Big Bang Theory" offer up "Star Trek" suggestions to new CBS Entertainment president Glenn Geller.


"Supergirl" star Melissa Benoist hits The CW stage with stars of "Arrow," "The Flash" and "DC's Legends of Tomorrow."

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:

Mike on KCRW: Viacom's Future, Upfronts Preview and Jennifer Lawrence

On this Monday's edition of The Business, Kim Masters and I bantered about several topics including:

- The future of Viacom remains up in the air as Sumner Redstone claims via email to be in good health, even as others report otherwise. The New York Post said Redstone's daughter Shari would take control, but Redstone said no decisions have been made.

- The broadcast networks have started announcing which shows will stay or get picked up and which shows will have to go away in anticipation of this year's broadcast upfront presentations in New York.

Jennifer Lawrence was able to secure a $20 million payday for the upcoming film Passengers. That's more than her co-star Chris Pratt. Right now the film is at Sony, though that could change if Tom Rothman decides the price tag is too great.

Listen by clicking below:

KCRW's The Spin-Off Pre-Upfronts Edition: What's Hot? What Will Be Cancelled? (LISTEN NOW!)

Joe and I are back, this time with The Hollywood Reporter's Lesley Goldberg, for the latest edition of KCRW's The Spin-Off podcast. This time, we give a preview of what to expect at next week's network upfronts, as the FATE OF THE TV INDUSTRY IS DECIDED. (OK, not really, but sounds intense, right?) He's what we chatted about:

We've made it to May, and in the TV world, that means one thing: Upfronts. Some of us will be heading to New York next week, but before we go, we talk about what the lay of the land looks like for this year, and we check in on some of the pilots up for consideration.

Ahead of the upfronts, NBC announced three drama pickups, including Chicago Med from Dick Wolf, the same man who brought us Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. Will this year bring the return of the medical dramas? And what exactly do you do with all those superhero shows? It's a saturated genre, but perhaps there's a way to schedule them that makes sense.

And coming out of last weekend's massive boxing match, the CEO of Twitter announced that the big winner of the night was...Periscope, the video streaming app. Are apps like these going to be problematic for the TV industry, or should the networks learn to embrace them?

Plus, as always, we go around the horn for our Download segment and share the stories or shows that are top of mind this month.

Hey, go on iTunes and rate us/review us, will ya? And listen by clicking here!

MIKE ON KCRW: Chatting About Fox's Changes on "The Business" and "The Simpsons" Marathon on "Press Play"

On Monday's episode of KCRW's The Business, Kim Masters and I tackled these hot topics:

- Fox chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden name David Madden as president of entertainment for the network.

- Upfront ad dollars are down both in broadcast and cable networks for the first time since 2009.

- Amazon goes to battle again, this time against Disney.

Listen below to the whole episode (our banter kicks things off) and stay tuned to Kim's interesting interview with Neal Baer:



Meanwhile, on Monday's Press Play with Madeleine Brand we tackled:

TV channel FXX is airing all 552 episodes of The Simpsons in a 288-hour, 12-day marathon that starts on Thursday. Outlander and HBO’s The Leftovers have been renewed. And what are the Creative Arts Emmys, and why did Bill Maher’s show win one?

Click below to listen!

MIKE ON KCRW'S HOLLYWOOD BREAKDOWN: Discussing A Softer TV Upfront Marketplace

On this week's Hollywood Breakdown, Kim Masters and I talk about this year's TV upfront marketplace, which saw some volume declines. Listen for the analysis, stay for my subtle Leslie Moonves impersonation at the end. Details:

When upfront advertising spending dipped in 2009, the drop was blamed on the down economy. Now, after four years of growth, upfront spending is down again, and this time the cause isn't so clear. Part of that money may be going to digital advertising, or some advertisers may be holding back, waiting to do their buying at a different time than the upfronts. Network television has taken a bigger hit in the downward spending trend, but cable's not immune; their ad spending is down 4.7 percent.

Click below to listen: