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'Six Feet Under' Tops Emmy Contenders |
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| Topic: TV |
1:21 pm EDT, Jul 20, 2002 |
"Six Feet Under," the darkly comic series on HBO about a troubled family running a funeral business, earned a leading 23 Emmy nominations today, a signal once again of the creative strength of cable over the networks. Alan Ball, on SFU: "Nobody ever suggested bringing people from a mall to get their opinion of the show." The HBO drama mini-series, "Band of Brothers," about soldiers in World War II, earned 13 nominations. HBO's off-center series "Curb Your Enthusiasm," created by Larry David, received a nomination for best comedy series. As networks struggle to retain viewers, the Emmys reflect the shifting tastes of audiences. HBO collected the most nominations, 93. CBS, on HBO: "They are allowed to do and say things that we at the networks are not." When the going gets tough, complain. 'Six Feet Under' Tops Emmy Contenders |
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More Than Just Sex and the City |
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| Topic: TV |
12:30 pm EDT, Jul 20, 2002 |
The HBO show "Sex and the City," the cable network's most popular comedy series, returns to the air tomorrow. The show has been described as raunchy and frank, but the truth is, "Sex and the City" is worth watching for anything but the sex. Millions of viewers near and far from the lights of Times Square will tune in when "Sex and the City" begins its fifth season. The potent fantasy of high life and high heels is just too seductive to ignore. The start of a new season at HBO is now such a major event that the New York Times devotes an editorial to it. Just wait until "The Sopranos" gets started again ... you can expect an entire "special coverage" section, as for the Olympic Games or the quarterly performance review of mutual funds. More Than Just Sex and the City |
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If Media Is Really AOL's Oyster, Its Biggest Pearl Is Clearly HBO |
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| Topic: TV |
12:23 pm EDT, Jul 20, 2002 |
Of the accomplishments that Jeff Bewkes brings to his new senior management duties at AOL Time Warner, none matter more than the results he produced at HBO, both in terms of profits and such intangibles as prestige, cultural influence and public awareness. Unlike most other networks, HBO owns the creative rights to its shows. HBO is accustomed to eclipsing the broadcast networks. In the last four years, no institution across the range of the entertainment industry has been more talked about, written about, imitated and emulated than HBO. "HBO is unassailable. Nobody can question it." HBO is now the gold standard of television programming. The hero-worship that was once focused on "The Sopranos" has expanded to encompass the entire HBO enterprise. As investors fret over the widespread troubles at AOL Time Warner, they point to the shining beacon of media perfection that is HBO. And so they rest easy, enjoying themselves in front of the television. Hey, if the market fails, there's always gangsterism, right? If Media Is Really AOL's Oyster, Its Biggest Pearl Is Clearly HBO |
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The Quest for Apu, Mr. Burns and Crew |
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| Topic: TV |
12:13 pm EDT, Jul 20, 2002 |
In the fall, "The Simpsons" will begin its 14th season, and there has never been more merchandising to commemorate the family's animated antics. CD collections of musical ditties from the series, VHS and DVD collections of past episodes, production cels ($500 each), and "The World of Springfield" interactive action figures and play sets. When the figures sell out in stores, I turn to eBay, where the toys sell for four times the price. Even in the current economy, it appears that some people have entirely too much disposable income. The Quest for Apu, Mr. Burns and Crew |
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