The 2008 Presidential Election: TV Politics

My Fellow Citizens!

Well, we are on the verge of another week and on the eve of one of the most important events in U.S. history, the Presidential Election.

Tuesday Night Television
Tomorrow evening, you can expect live, uninterrupted election coverage across network television (ABC, CBS, NBC) throughout the day and well into the Prime Time schedule Tuesday evening. As well, you can expect coverage on Cable News Network (CNN), Fox News, CNBC, MSNBC, and TV One.

It is expected that tomorrow night will have a record TV viewing audience and ratings; highest of the season for the networks and the highest within the last two decades of political coverage.

Record Ratings for History?
I am not a ratings speculator (My, that would be a useful skill), however all of this anticipation sounds more like ratings GOLD for the networks and you can be sure there will also be prime advertisers.

This is an optimal condition, broadcasters supply the ratings, via you the viewing audience, and advertisers supply the dollars to be seen during the program - it is guaranteed audience reach.

More importantly, this election is largely historic on a number of levels as we will have either the first Black American President or the first female Vice President in office (Although, I did wish that Hillary was the V.P. equivalent on the other side for a possible favorable combination). With my suggested, we could have two historic moments covered in a single sweep.

So, what if you are not into watching the political coverage?
You can always rely on the non-news cable networks for regular programming, should you not wish to view continuous coverage. The highlight/recap in the morning papers and news sources should be more than adequate for non-political viewing participants. Or, you could also rely on HBO.

Either way, we should have a good show...

No Problems - Only Solutions!
Quite frankly, I am looking forward to the end of all of this political rhetoric so that we may return to focus. Perhaps I am somewhat unimpressed with hyperbole - for you see, it all comes down to results.

Grand standing, appearances on Saturday Night Live, and face time on every conceivable Talk Show simply do not leave one with a clear understanding of qualification or convincing ability to achieve results. We have yet to hear actual, real and quantifiable solutions. I want answers, not entertainment - wait, that's my job!

I continue to hear, "It's time for Change", to which I reply,"Yeah, that sounds really good. What did you have in mind?" however never really hear exact details of said proposed "Change".

Having said, I do like and appreciate the intention of the possible. However really, change could mean a number of things and could honestly sway for the better or worse, depending on the circumstance. I would strongly suggest that the 'Admin' find a way to define and articulate conditions of said "Change" as soon as possible.

On the other side, there does not seem to be much talk about "Change" or really anything of relevance except shout out to 'Joe the Plumber' and an unknown group of 5th graders...

Ah, maybe my common sense getting the best of me...Anyway, may the best, and most qualified candidate win (Despite history).

Let The NBC Olympic Games Begin!

Hello, Hello, Hello

Ah, the end of the week - I feel as if this has become a permanent opening statement for our conversations.

As always, much continues to happen in the 'World of News and Politics' (Well, the one that matters most: Hollywood). Business as usual if you follow the blurred lines of news and celebrity gossip.

Speaking of the world, the major event on this monumental date is the start of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, also known as today's topic of this monumental blog (-?).

My Olympic Beijing Snap
Today, I am enjoying a slowed pace from my usual exacerbating schedule to relish the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics, which meant sleeping in (7:30 AM) and a decent breakfast in bed.

I was indeed truly looking forward to viewing the competition and had cleared most of the day's schedule.

However, I am largely dismayed with moderate inconvenience...

For you see, the coverage will not air until this evening - I am so disappointed as I had expected to awaken to the sight and sound of competition. Further, I was looking forward to celebrating with an Olympic Social (aka Party) for much of the day - now, I must wait until this evening. Very inconvenient. How I was not aware of such an important scheduling conflict, remains to be seen.

Having said, now choices must be made for the evening's entertainment and guess what may NOT make my viewership and schedule this evening?

Get Ready For NBC Olympic Television
I am sure that you would agree that one of the many benefits to living in such 'Advanced' times is the ability to access to different forms of media for news, entertainment, and as mentioned in last blog, Broadband Television.

Although the official start of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics began some 10 hours prior to this post, within the past hour, I have been literally searching for video coverage of the events.

The results so far have not been promising as I have only been able to discover brief written coverage (There appears to be more than enough words to read about the events, competitors, opening ceremony, still photos), but without actual full length video footage.

One would expect coverage to be abundant of such a worldwide event. However, equal coverage does not appear to be the name of the game. Massive saturation is forthcoming to every form of available media.

At my speculation, it appears as if NBC Universal (General Electric) has secured (Purchased) the rights to broadcast in entirety - meaning the right to control what and where you see Olympic coverage on television, cable, radio, as well as over the Internet.

More Coverage Than You Could Possibly Ever Want...
According to friends at the Hollywood Reporter, NBC Universal is reportedly preparing to air roughly 3600 hours (When - I am not certain) of Olympic programming over the next 2.5 weeks - across its number of networks including NBC, Bravo, Oxygen, CNBC, MSNBC (175 hours), Telemundo (Airing 380 hours alone), and USA Network (Bidding 165 hours).

Further, more than 2,000 hours will also be available via streaming over the Web, Video On Demand (VOD), HD, as well accessible by mobile devices, and specialty channels such as soccer and basketball and unique language stations (Japanese, Mandarin and Korean Channels) - just in case you missed the continuous, over saturating live coverage of the 34 events on the before mentioned Networks.

Without a doubt, coverage will be unprecedented and the largest media coverage in the history of the Olympic Games. More than likely, you will at some point view the games over the next few weeks and this is what NBC Uni is hoping as more than $1 Billion dollars of advertising is also set to air during the broadcast.

I have a few more ideas...But, we will save them for later...I have a '2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony After Party' to attend!

You can brush up before the tonight's broadcast on NBC's Official site located at the following: http://www.nbcolympics.com/



*The photo above was taken at the Opening Ceremony and is provided by the UK Telegraph.

Revenge of the Model Shows

Just when you thought it was safe to get back on the 'Runway' along comes another...

Speaking of 'safe', MSNBC has announced a new Model show for all of you model watching viewers. Models NYC is different than those other model shows (America's Next Top Model-My personal favorite), Janice Dickenson Modeling Agency, Project Runway, The Agency, Petra Nemcova project, Untitled Naomi Campbell project (My show- Not really a modeling show, but it features one), and for those I may have missed have your people call my people and you will be added to the list.

Anyway, so how is this one different? Apparently, we are following actual models in New York City (Castings, photo shoots, bookings, et al) from a documentary point of view. Basically the format will be similar to the show 'The Agency' - the style of photography is natural and real, rather than staged events of a reality competition. This is not a game, it's real life baby!

So what can we expect? More insight into the industry - check. Gritty reality - check. Beautiful people - check. Flawed characters - check. Snarky model drama - most likely.

You can see a sneak peek of Models NYC on Bravo (All Things "TOP") Saturday, April 14th.