Back to School

Pencils sharpened. Books purchased. Lunches packed. Sound familiar? These are the telltale signs of “Back to School.” Unfortunately, every parent’s favorite time of year has now become my averse reality.

Currently I am attending the University of Colorado Denver in route toward a MBA. Working full time and going to school at night will not be easy, but I am excited for the challenge. To many the idea of going back to school has less appeal than having a glass of milk, pool-side. But for me it is an opportunity of a lifetime. Not only will I delve more deeply in the business academic arena, but I will be able to interact with employers and employees from a varying array of backgrounds.

A highlight that I am anticipating is that CU has acquired a new business school building that will most likely open in the fall of 2010. Not only will the new facility provide more resources for its students, but it will be the focal point for business in the downtown area. And of course, new facilities usually bring about media attention. Who doesn’t like that?!

So now that my pencils are sharpened, books purchased and absolutely no time for lunch, it’s time to focus and get to work. It’s certainly a time in my life where my social scene may deteriorate, but I know it’ll be worth it in the end. For now my emotions are high, my expectations are sincere, and my goals are in place. Stay tuned to see where my feelings are at once I complete my first exam! YIKES!
Rob S.

Fall Premiers Have Started!!

Ann has done a great job preparing for us all for Fall 09 TV. Well, last night one of my guiltiest pleasures started, Biggest Loser. Two of my best girlfriends from college come over every Tuesday to watch. We make dinner and open a bottle of wine and enjoy. We all have our favorites and typically get pretty competitive. Last night sadly they were both out of town so I wasn’t able to get their favorites. But I’ve got mine. This season is all about second chances so; in fact one of mine has been set since last season.

Last season the largest contestant in Biggest Loser history, Daniel, entered the competition at 457 pounds. His partner was not as dedicated as he was and sadly young Daniel and his partner were sent home early in the competition. However, at home Daniel continued to drop pounds and by the finale he was down to 312 pounds. Last night he brought tears to my eyes with his inspiring first place finish in the first competition of running/walking a mile! Players were allowed to pick their teammates and because of his first place finish he received the first pick and took the new “Largest contestant ever,” Shay. I’m nervous about his selection with her giving up last night but, Daniel is pretty motivational so I’m hoping he can pull her through. More importantly I’m hoping they don’t get into a team elimination situation and Daniel falls victim again to being only as strong as your weakest link.

My second favorite of the night was Abby. Without question it was the story behind her journey that captured everyone’s heart. I know everyone at InLine was in tears. This poor woman lost her entire family in a car accident. Her daughter was 5 and a half and he son a mere 2 and a half weeks old. I was on Abby’s team before but she captured me when she said “I’m different than anyone else here, I don’t have a reason to live, it would be easier for me to die. But I get up and take that step everyday and make the choice to live.” WOAH! But, Abby is so positive she continued to go on saying that “There has to be a reason she wasn’t in that car, there has to be something she is meant to do.” While I might not being a great job of describing it, her positivity is contagious!

Daniel lost 12 pounds putting him into the 200’s for the first time in quite some time! Abby lost 15 Pounds! Both great numbers for week one. Let’s hope they don’t fall victim to typical Week 2 hardships!
Bailey

Live+Same Day Data Becomes Industry Standard

In an effort to give their clients, local cable, agencies, advertisers, sales execs and researchers, what they want, Nielsen is proposing to make Live+Same Day the primary ratings data stream in Local People Meter (LPM) and Set Meter Markets. Following a June 2009 meeting, Nielsen clients, almost unanimously, have indicated that they want Nielsen to offer the Live+Same Day data stream and will use it to negotiate local TV time both from the buying and selling sides of the desk. Diary measurement in diary markets will also use the Live+Same Day standard to ensure consistency between methodologies.

Originally it looked like Live+3 would be the new industry standard, but according to Nielsen, it was not what the industry wanted and just never took off. As it turns out, Live+Same Day includes 63% of all the time-shifted viewing that will occur for that day.

It's estimated that the data stream modifications will become effective December 2009. Live+3 and Live+7 Data will still be available.

TGIF! continued...

Time again for some more of my thoughts on the Fall TV schedule. This entry will look at Wednesday & Thursday nights...

* again, my caveats: schedule as published today! all times listed as central/mountain- these are my thoughts only and should not be used against me ;-) Station reps, if you are reading this, I am sorry if I offend your network's show(s)!

WEDNESDAY
7p- This night is STACKED with new shows in all 3 hours, with 7p being no exception. ABC debuts 2 new sitcoms (Hank & The Middle) and NBC debuts an ER/Grey's Anatomy-style medical drama focusing on nurses called Mercy. FOX has SYTYCD results and CBS has 2 sub-par returning sitcoms in New Adventures of Old Christine (which actually is a decent show, just has never lived up to its expectations!) and Gary Unmarried. I think Mercy should win this hour, especially for those people missing ER and used to seeing that type of show on NBC.
8p- This hour brings 2 shows that I am particularly looking forward to- ABC's Modern Family and Cougartown. If you haven't heard about these sitcoms, you are probably living under a rock as ABC seems to have thrown most of their fall marketing budget behind them. Modern Family stars Ed O'Neill of Married with Children fame, and Cougartown features Courtney Cox Arquette, of (as if you didn't know) Friends fame. Competing with ABC's new programs is FOX's new show, Glee, about a high school glee club. Early previews of this show in May & over the summer actually did really well; I would expect this show could surprise some in how well it does. The remaining 2 shows are in the crime-solving drama genre; CBS airs Criminal Minds, and NBC has moved Law & Order: SVU to this hour. I think the Law & Order franchise has started to lose its staying power, and I don't expect this show to do as well as in years past. Look for FOX to take young demos with Glee, and CBS to win the older demos with Criminal Minds.
9p- CBS's best CSI franchise (CSI: New York) airs against Jay Leno and a new ABC show called Eastwick, a fantasy show about 3 witches. It looks and sounds a little too much like Charmed for my tastes, even though I adore Lindsey Price, one of the stars. CBS will dominate this hour. And it won't be close.

OVERALL: FOX & ABC are all over the board; NBC wins 7p, CBS wins 8p-10p
SHOW(S) TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Mercy, Modern Family, Glee

THURSDAY
7p- A lot of people are really looking forward to ABC's Flash Forward (taking the place of Ugly Betty, which got the unfortunate news it was moving to Friday nights- otherwise known as one step from the grave in TV speak). I am not one of them. FOX airs the increasingly popular Bones (but, like House, how long is this show going to last?), and CBS comes back with yet another season of Survivor. NBC doesn't have a chance to compete with SNL Weekend Update and Parks & Recreation (which I honestly was SHOCKED to see back on for another season) and will finish a distant fourth. I think ABC & CBS will fight neck and neck to win this hour.
8p- Probably the best hour of TV on the whole fall schedule; ABC airs Grey's Anatomy, CBS airs the original CSI, FOX airs Fringe, and NBC airs The Office followed by a new sitcom, Community, about a rag tag group of Community College students including the return of Chevy Chase. My guess is that Grey's will come out on top, but it won't necessarily dominate. Rating points in this hour will be split very evenly amongst the 4 networks.
9p- ABC's Private Practice has really been gaining ground since it moved to Thursday nights from its original Wednesday night slot. And CBS's The Mentalist was the #1 new show from last year. As in other nights, poor Jay Leno doesn't stand a chance and will finish a distant third. Just like in 7p, I think ABC & CBS will fight neck and neck again.

OVERALL: CBS/ABC tight race all night; NBC struggles 7p & 9p hours
SHOW(S) TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Flash Forward, Community

:-) AB