Nov 2010
Former launcher of KDAF-TV newscasts takes new post in Texoma
11/30/10 04:56 PM
Ex-CW33 news director Anthony Maisel, who launched prime-time local newscasts on the station when it was still a WB affiliate, is returning to the TV news biz at KXII-TV in the Texoma area. Get all the details on our Dallas-Fort Worth TV page. Plus, your friendly content provider's latest locatetv.com dispatch takes an up-close look at the Oscar ceremony's unconventional host pairing.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
CBS shuffles Early Show deck (chairs)
11/30/10 12:01 PM
CBS is parting ways with its entire early morning roster of personalities in hopes of somehow making its long-struggling waker-upper competitive with NBC's Today and ABC's Good Morning America. Get all the details on our Network News & Reviews page. Plus, the latest D-FW Nielsen ratings are in. And at our home away from home, locatetv.com, check out a selective list of upcoming Christmas specials and episodes.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Nip/tuck 10 p.m. November "sweeps" news races go to WFAA8 while CBS11 scores first-ever 6 p.m. win
11/29/10 12:08 PM
We're back from a Thanksgiving week sojourn and returning to business with a painstaking breakdown of how WFAA8 nipped CBS11 at the November "sweeps" tape to win D-FW's marquee 10 p.m. local news wars. Runnerup CBS11 also is celebrating its first-ever win at 6 p.m. while Fox4 has regained the early morning crowns. That leaves the Peacock plucked. Get all the details on the Dallas-Fort Worth TV page.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!
11/21/10 07:07 PM
Thanksgiving Day is nearing, and unclebarky.com will be out and about and off for this week.
Have a fine, fun holiday, everybody!!! And many thanks for your continued readership.
Ed Bark
NBC5 makes it five meteorologists
11/21/10 07:00 PM
Fort Worth-based NBC5 has hired a new meteorologist who's making a big jump in market size and has a weather-ready surname. Get the details here.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Lennon recalibrated in two standout PBS specials
11/21/10 12:40 PM
John Lennon returns up close and personal in Lennon Naked and LENNONYC. Our reviews are here.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Idol moves to new night while made-in-Dallas The Good Guys gets moved out in Fox's new midseason scheme of things
11/19/10 08:08 PM
Fox announced its new midseason lineup early Friday evening. The many changes include a new night for American Idol's results show and a goodbye to The Good Guys, which was nice having in Dallas for its 20 episodes. Get all the details on our Network News & Reviews page.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Up-close and objective: Nov. 18th's late night D-FW newscasts
11/19/10 04:28 PM
Our concluding November "sweeps" compendium looks at a rare species lately making a comeback -- anchors who actually get out and report. One station is still lashing its marquee news readers to their TelePrompTers, though. And their identities "may shock you," as they used to say in the biz, but not so much anymore.
Also, Joe Scarborough is the latest MSNBC personality to join the suspension carousel. And the latest D-FW Nielsen ratings show CBS and CBS11 on rolls. Finally, check out our cheeky discourse on People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive!" 25th anniversary on our home away from home, locatetv.com.
Ed Bark
Also, Joe Scarborough is the latest MSNBC personality to join the suspension carousel. And the latest D-FW Nielsen ratings show CBS and CBS11 on rolls. Finally, check out our cheeky discourse on People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive!" 25th anniversary on our home away from home, locatetv.com.
Ed Bark
Up-close and objective: Nov. 17th's late night D-FW newscasts
11/18/10 12:57 PM
Our latest compendium spotlights a gem of a human interest story by WFAA8 reporter Gary Reaves and an oversell by one of his colleagues. Plus, the latest D-FW Nielsen ratings are in. And lo and behold, a new "Ask Uncle Barky" entertains several questions, including the current whereabouts of former Fox4 anchor Baron James.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Up-close and objective: Nov. 16th's late night D-FW newscasts
11/17/10 03:58 PM
Which D-FW news anchor got some "exclusive" backstage time with George W. Bush at Tuesday's groundbreaking ceremony in Dallas? And why should it come as no surprise? Our latest compendium is here.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Dubious achievement for CBS11 sports anchor and former NFL QB Babe Laufenberg
11/17/10 11:41 AM
Former Cowboys backup QB Babe Laufenberg, now the veteran CBS11 sports anchor, scored very high on a new deadspin.com list. If any publicity is good publicity, perhaps he'll take it. Get the details here. Also, the latest D-FW Nielsen ratings show CBS11 punching back at 10 p.m.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Up-close and objective: Nov. 15th's late night D-FW newscasts
11/16/10 04:37 PM
WFAA8 sports anchor Dale Hansen's "suspension" tops our in-depth look at Monday's ratings "sweeps" activities. Or to put it another way, Hansen and weathercaster Pete Delkus played in the sand again, but to a degree not seen before. Also, Monday's D-FW Nielsen ratings show that WFAA8 may have profited at 10 p.m. from its earlier prime-time tomfoolery. Plus, on my home away from home, locatetv.com, there's a late-breaking look at all things Palin.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Institute of lower learning: TBS has clunker in college-set Glory Daze
11/15/10 05:33 PM
The promos have been incessant. Now it's time for TV critics to take aim at TBS' Glory Daze. Our review is here.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
NBC chases made-in-North Texas Chase to new night, launches all-comedy lineup on Thursdays
11/15/10 03:44 PM
You really will need a scorecard to divine all the midseason changes NBC is making. Consider it done on our TV Bulletin Board page.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Up-close and objective: Nov. 12th's late night D-FW newscasts
11/15/10 11:04 AM
A Braum's ice cream shop in Greenville partly blew its top Friday, sending D-FW newscasts scurrying to cover another weather "event." Our latest summation is here. Plus, the Dallas Cowboys' big win Sunday at New York under new head coach Jason Garrett paid big dividends in the D-FW Nielsen ratings, too.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Up-close and objective: Nov. 11th's late night D-FW newscasts
11/12/10 04:07 PM
Here we go again, with lots to say about Thursday's late night newsers on Fox4, NBC5, WFAA8 and CBS11. You can find it all here during our continued deep sea dive into what's news -- and what shouldn't be.
Also, WFAA8 reporter David Schechter continues to excel as both a gumshoe and stylist. We extoll his virtues while also providing a look at a recent instant classic about a deceased man and a dog that just won't let him go.
Ed Bark
Also, WFAA8 reporter David Schechter continues to excel as both a gumshoe and stylist. We extoll his virtues while also providing a look at a recent instant classic about a deceased man and a dog that just won't let him go.
Ed Bark
Ongoing battles for D-FW newscast supremacy at midpoint of Nov. sweeps
11/12/10 10:07 AM
WFAA8 and CBS11 again are in a too-close-to-call heavyweight fight at 10 p.m. while CBS11 is trying to win the 6 p.m. newscast ratings competition for the first time in its history. For a closer look at the halfway point of the November sweeps ratings wars, go here.
Also, Thursday's D-FW Nielsen ratings are in. And there's a tasty menu of tidbits on the TV Bulletin Board page.
Ed Bark
Also, Thursday's D-FW Nielsen ratings are in. And there's a tasty menu of tidbits on the TV Bulletin Board page.
Ed Bark
Up-close and objective: Nov. 10th's late night D-FW newscasts
11/11/10 05:36 PM
We accentuate the positive -- with some snide helpings of snide -- in unclebarky.com's lingering looks at Wednesday's flagship newscasts on Fox4, NBC5, WFAA8 and CBS11. It's all right here.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Country's big night a yee-haw for ABC/WFAA8
11/11/10 10:53 AM
Oldies George Strait (and narrow) and Loretta Lynn shared stage time Wednesday night with hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley on ABC's CMA awards. In D-FW, the three-hour show twanged its magic twanger before WFAA8's 10 p.m. news likewise picked and grinned in the ratings. Get the details here. Plus, CNN names names for the first time in a "Keep 'em Honest" promo aimed at its two partisan cable news rivals, Fox News Channel and MSNBC. And on my home away from home, locatetv.com, see what Tracy Morgan had to say about his upcoming HBO special and making a movie with Al Pacino.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Up-close and objective: Nov. 9th's late night D-FW newscasts
11/10/10 03:34 PM
WFAA8 investigator Byron Harris struck again Tuesday night while Fox4 took reporter "involvement" into the station's lunch room. Our latest look-see is here. Also, Tuesday's D-FW Nielsen ratings are in the books.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
The selling of George W.'s book, with Oprah buying in and Hannity rolling over
11/10/10 08:49 AM
George W. Bush appeared in disparate venues Tuesday as his book tour gained steam. How was he received on The Oprah Winfrey Show? And did Sean Hannity genuflect during their time in Crawford, TX? Our extended look is here.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Up-close and objective: Nov. 8th's late night D-FW newscasts
11/09/10 03:55 PM
Oh no you didn't. Oh yes we did. Our ratings "sweeps" scrutiny of D-FW's four principal late night newscasts returns for a limited engagement. The first chapter is here.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
TBS' Conan stirs late night pot, complete with parting shots at NBC
11/09/10 09:21 AM
Conan O'Brien returned to the late night battlefield Monday night after TBS floated an incessant blimp-centric promotional campaign. Our review is here. Also, the latest D-FW Nielsen ratings show how well he did in D-FW.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
MSNBC's suspension of Olbermann is like disciplining a monkey for eating a banana
11/06/10 10:59 AM
Wow, Keith Olbermann contributed money to Democratic candidates!!! And MSNBC cites NBC News "policy and standards" in suspending him!!! What a joke. Our take is here.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Texas guv does Morning Joe in interests of selling new book. Period
11/05/10 02:50 PM
Texas Gov. Rick Perry, triumphant anew after his rout of opponent Bill White, showed up on MSNBC's Morning Joe Friday to push his new book, Fed Up!. He also let it be known that he prays daily for President Obama, who he referred to as simply "Obama." But let's get to the book, the buttoned-up guv insisted. Our review is here.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Bearded ladies, laddie on CBS11; uncommon Elvis impersonator on Letterman
11/05/10 01:06 PM
The anchors of CBS11's early morning show paid up their World Series bet with a San Francisco station Friday morning. It involved beards and very bad singing. Check it out. Also, rescued Chilean miner Edison Pena made a very memorable appearance Thursday on Late Show with David Letterman. The video, on our Network News & Reviews page, is a great way to start your weekend. Plus, the latest D-FW Nielsen ratings give CBS11 another big boost at 10 p.m.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Letterman whips Leno in three major ratings food groups for first time since NBC's Tonight reclaimed him (but that's not all)
11/04/10 02:13 PM
David Letterman is late night's new king for a week -- at least among the broadcast network /jokers/talkers/greeters. But someone else has spanked both of them for the first time among advertiser-craved 18-to-49-year-olds. And no, it's not Nightline. Get the details on our Network News & Reviews page.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
New look for CW33 news -- which actually looks better content-wise, too (for at least one night)
11/04/10 11:52 AM
Dallas-based CW33 has a sparkling new set for its 9 p.m. local newscasts. And with a purge at the top of its owner, the Tribune Co., maybe the content will get a chance to shine a bit, too. We take an extended look here. Plus, the latest D-FW Nielsen ratings also are in the house.
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
All hail The Larry Sanders Show in a new complete series set
11/03/10 04:46 PM
Greatness is where you find it. And you can pretty much find it in each and every episode of HBO's The Larry Sanders Show, which made 89 of them before bowing out in 1998.
A new Complete Series boxed set from Shout! Factory revisits the treacherous, behind-the-scenes late night terrain that Larry Sanders made famous before NBC turned it into an art from with its Conan O'Brien/Jay Leno dance of death. Our re-review is here. Also, the TV Bulletin Board page has some tasty new tidbits. And the latest local Nielsen ratings "snapshot" shows which networks drew the biggest and smallest crowds for Tuesday's mid-term election coverage.
Ed Bark
A new Complete Series boxed set from Shout! Factory revisits the treacherous, behind-the-scenes late night terrain that Larry Sanders made famous before NBC turned it into an art from with its Conan O'Brien/Jay Leno dance of death. Our re-review is here. Also, the TV Bulletin Board page has some tasty new tidbits. And the latest local Nielsen ratings "snapshot" shows which networks drew the biggest and smallest crowds for Tuesday's mid-term election coverage.
Ed Bark
Technical knockout (but unclebarky.com now back on feet)
11/03/10 12:33 AM
The big rubber band broke and the hamster ran out of gas.
Actually, the router box at unclebarky.com central suddenly went dead Saturday. And a replacement (from a provider rhyming with horizon) didn't arrive until late Tuesday afternoon. That meant no Internet, email access or publishing capability for what seemed like an eternity.
But we're back in play now, giving you the complete local ratings for the last three World Series games plus the Cowboys' Sunday afternoon debacle against Jacksonville. The Texas Rangers-powered Series obviously was a blockbuster in these parts, but not so much nationally. We've got those numbers, too.
As another month goes into the archives, many continued thanks to our varied and growing readership. It's also time for another brief notation that any amazon purchases made after first clicking through the ads on unclebarky.com will provide yours truly with a small percentage of the proceeds. Patronage of our other advertisers is also encouraged. It all helps. Thanks again, and here's hoping this new router will be a permanent keeper.
Ed Bark
Actually, the router box at unclebarky.com central suddenly went dead Saturday. And a replacement (from a provider rhyming with horizon) didn't arrive until late Tuesday afternoon. That meant no Internet, email access or publishing capability for what seemed like an eternity.
But we're back in play now, giving you the complete local ratings for the last three World Series games plus the Cowboys' Sunday afternoon debacle against Jacksonville. The Texas Rangers-powered Series obviously was a blockbuster in these parts, but not so much nationally. We've got those numbers, too.
As another month goes into the archives, many continued thanks to our varied and growing readership. It's also time for another brief notation that any amazon purchases made after first clicking through the ads on unclebarky.com will provide yours truly with a small percentage of the proceeds. Patronage of our other advertisers is also encouraged. It all helps. Thanks again, and here's hoping this new router will be a permanent keeper.
Ed Bark