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Dec 2011
Above the Fold | Jan 2012 | Nov 2011

Heading west to the Television Critics Association winter "press tour" (but not before leaving behind a big pile of midseason reviews)

12/31/11 02:55 PM
The annual Television Critics Association winter "press tour" begins on the night of Jan. 3 and runs through Jan. 15th. Your friendly content provider again will make the trek, writing exclusively for locatetv.com. You can follow along daily by going right here.

Meanwhile, unclebarky.com will be on hiatus until mid-January. But not really, because our Network News & Reviews page takes the measure of 10 new series that will premiere during press tour and the day after. In chronological order, here they are, with accompanying links:

Angry Boys (Jan. 1, HBO)
Work It (Jan. 3, ABC)
The Firm (Jan. 8, NBC)
House of Lies (Jan. 8, Showtime)
Are You There, Chelsea? (Jan. 11, NBC)
The Finder (Jan. 12, Fox)
Rob (Jan. 12, CBS)
Napoleon Dynamite (Jan. 15, Fox)
Lost Girl (Jan. 16, Syfy)
Alcatraz (Jan. 16, Fox)

I hope this will keep faithful readers occupied. And if anything big happens locally while I'm gone, I'll do my best to tweet about it.

Happy New Year, everybody!

Ed Bark

"Press tour" beckons, January reviews pile up

12/30/11 09:42 AM
Your friendly content provider again will be flying this coop early next month to attend the annual winter edition of the Television Critics Association "press tour," which runs from Jan. 4-15.

All of my dispatches will be for locatetv.com. But unclebarky.com will be well-stocked with reviews of new series that premiere during press tour. Four are already posted on the Network News & Reviews page, with more to come. Here are the links:

Angry Boys (Jan. 1, HBO)
Work It (Jan. 3, ABC)
The Firm (Jan. 8, NBC)
Are You There, Chelsea? (Jan. 11, NBC)

Ed Bark

Hello, they must be going: our annual compendium of D-FW's TV news departures

12/27/11 05:15 PM
It's a pretty lengthy list this year, but unclebarky.com has a long memory. So take a look at our annual alphabetical rundown of 2011's departing flights from various D-FW television news departments.

Plus, the holiday D-FW Nielsen ratings show a downturn in audiences for routs of both the Cowboys and Mavericks.
Ed Bark

Although it's been said many times, many ways . . .

12/23/11 11:53 AM
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Merry Christmas to all from unclebarky.com world headquarters, where the miniature Santa population resides in ever cramped quarters on a homey mantle.

Stay happy, everybody, and thanks again for your patronage. We'll be back in play next week. Oh, and almost forgot. The season finale of Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas can be found right here.

Plus, we have a stocking stuffer in the form of a perfectly cute little holiday promo for CBS11 meteorologist Larry Mowry.
Ed Bark

WFAA8 looking for news director after incumbent Michael Valentine moves up Belo corporate ladder; meanwhile, WFAA8's Byron Harris racks up another major reporting award

12/21/11 08:11 AM
WFAA8 news director Michael Valentine has a new position with the station's owner, Dallas-based Belo Corp. So the search for his successor is on. Details are on our Dallas-Fort Worth TV page. You'll also find the specifics on WFAA8 investigator Byron Harris' latest duPont-Columbia award.

Also, former NBC5 reporter Jay Gray, now with the NBC network, has some serious explaining to do. And on an entirely different note, bask in the warm glow of Episode 15 of Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas.
Ed Bark

Stark contrast: Fox4's Tinsley still mum on dog auction; WFAA8's Hansen forthright as ever

12/20/11 01:18 PM
Fox4 news anchor Clarice Tinsley and WFAA8 sports anchor Dale Hansen each have spent 30+ years at their respective stations. But when it comes to being forthright, Hansen is in a league of his own. Our commentary on their disparate approaches is on the Dallas-Fort Worth TV page.

Plus, NBC5 investigative reporter Kimberly King, citing personal matters, has left the station after less than six months. And a new episode of Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas manages to work in The Beatles.
Ed Bark

First episode of TNT's Dallas also makes a solid first impression

12/19/11 04:59 PM
TNT's re-do of Dallas as a weekly series won't fire up until sometime next summer. But the network has finished the pilot episode, save for a few finishing touches. And as one who wrote first-hand about "Who Shot J.R.?" mania, I'm pretty impressed with what they've done. For our first take on the pivotal first hour, go to the Network News & Reviews page.
Ed Bark

Hansen's annual "Thank God For Kids" commentary takes another unexpected turn

12/19/11 03:40 PM
WFAA8 sports anchor Dale Hansen used his annual "Thank God For Kids" Christmas segment as a forum to reveal he was sexually assaulted as a 10-year-old. Video of Sunday night's segment and a link to a previous very personal holiday commentary by Hansen are on the Dallas-Fort Worth TV page.
Ed Bark

Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas nears homestretch

12/19/11 11:02 AM
Anybody out there ever amused and entertained their friends with the Mr. Microphone they received for Christmas? A vintage commercial for the thing kicks off the final week of Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas.

Plus, the weekend D-FW Nielsen ratings not surprisingly show a relatively small crowd for Saturday night's Cowboys game at Tampa Bay.
Ed Bark

NBC's Who's Still Standing? is Peacock's latest holiday week game show gambit

12/19/11 09:01 AM
It worked for Deal or No Deal, which caught fire during its inaugural multi-night run as a holiday week "event." Now NBC is jingling Who's Still Standing? Our review is here.
Ed Bark

Jerry Lewis without warts in Encore doc accentuating his comedic genius

12/16/11 03:52 PM
The new Encore network documentary, Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis, accentuates his positives and eliminates all negatives with help from the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Carol Burnett and Steven Spielberg. Which really isn't as bad as it might sound. Our review is here.
Ed Bark

It's Perry vs. Mother Mother in Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas

12/16/11 09:04 AM
Old/new versions of "O Holy Night" are a staple of Christmases past and present. In Episode 12 of Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas, let's hear it for Perry Como and the indie band Mother Mother. Their takes are disparate, but also reverent in their own ways. See what you think by taking a sleigh ride to our Network News & Reviews page.
Ed Bark

Fox4 names Charlotte veteran Robin Whitmeyer as news director

12/15/11 04:36 PM
Dallas-based Fox4 staffers learned Thursday afternoon that they have a news director scheduled to start shortly after the holidays. Robin Whitmeyer replaces Maria Barrs, who left the station in mid-summer for a management position at a Sacramento TV station. Details are on our Dallas-Fort Worth TV page.
Ed Bark

Romney morphs into Obama in classic Fox News Channel graphic gaffe

12/15/11 01:42 PM
Further words elude me. So let's just throw it to our Network News & Reviews page.
Ed Bark

Much-maligned Globes make brighter TV choices than the SAGs

12/15/11 11:16 AM
Which body of voters is more enlightened when you compare and contrast the TV nominations for the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award ceremonies? Score one for the ever mysterious Hollywood Foreign Press Association this time around. Our take is on the Network News & Reviews page.
Ed Bark

Stern takes his talents to Talent

12/15/11 09:56 AM
In the annals of acerbic talent show judges, Simon Cowell may have to give way to Howard Stern, who on Thursday morning was named to replace Piers Morgan on NBC's America's Got Talent. Then again, Cowell is the head executive producer of the show, so he's getting what he asked for. Details are on the Network News & Reviews page.

Plus, be sure to enjoy Episode 11 of Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas.
Ed Bark

Yes, that new set at NBC5 is the finished product

12/14/11 04:17 PM
Readers have asked about the remodeled NBC5 news set -- and if it's the real deal yet. Unclebarky.com actually takes the time to get an answer -- after taking some pictures.

Plus, the NFL cuts some massive new deals, including an annual Thanksgiving night game for NBC, beginning next season. And Tuesday's D-FW Nielsen ratings "snapshot" is freshly posted.
Ed Bark

Amanpour returns to natural habitat

12/14/11 10:21 AM
Christiane Amanpour is ending her problematic stint as host of ABC's This Week. Her fallback positions are dual roles on ABC and CNN as a foreign affairs anchor/reporter. Details are on our Network News & Reviews page.

Plus, another "very special" (aren't they all?) episode of Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas is ready for viewing.
Ed Bark

Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas continues making merry

12/13/11 10:53 AM
A "very special" episode of Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas is now available for viewing.

Plus, Monday's D-FW Nielsen ratings show that Fear Factor might well have new life. It bludgeoned a pair of ABC Christmas specials while also winning both of its hours among advertiser-craved 18-to-49-year-olds. Scroll to the end to see a blip on a new TV reporter gig for former NBC5er Susy Solis.
Ed Bark

Kansas City's Marcus Moore joining WFAA8 as reporter

12/12/11 04:20 PM
The industry website Bottom Line Communications reports that WFAA8 has hired a reporter from Kansas City's KMBC-TV to replace the newly departed Chris Hawes. Or to look at it another way, to fill a five-month vacancy left by the retirement of reporter Gary Reaves. Details are on the Dallas-Fort Worth TV page.

Plus, the weekend D-FW Nielsen ratings highlight the Dallas Cowboys' latest numbers. And you also can see two Fox4 personalities in madcap Christmas hats -- on the air.
Ed Bark

Med evac: WFAA8's Chris Hawes resigns as reporter, takes new position at Dallas hospital

12/12/11 12:02 PM
WFAA8 has lost a significant presence on its late night newscasts with the departure of reporter Chris Hawes. The details are on our Dallas-Fort Worth TV page.

Plus, Episode 8 of Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas is ready for viewing.
Ed Bark

A&E's Bag of Bones a refreshing upgrade from network's usual bag o' nothing "reality" fare

12/08/11 03:04 PM
The latest adaptation of a Stephen King novel arrives on A&E Sunday, with Pierce Brosnan returning to TV to carry Bag of Bones. Our review is here.

Plus, enjoy Episode 6 of friendly Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas. And Wednesday's D-FW Nielsen ratings are a big plus for Fox/Fox4.
Ed Bark

NBC offers Thursday night Christmas quartet

12/07/11 12:21 PM
New holiday-themed episodes of NBC's Community, Parks and Recreation, The Office and Whitney are coming your way on Thursday, Dec. 8th. And since the Peacock cared enough to send 'em, we've taken the time to review 'em -- in the spirit of the season or somethin' like that.

Also, Episode 5 of Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas is ready for a few minutes of your time. And Tuesday's D-FW Nielsen ratings also are in.
Ed Bark

Dull Jason Garrett had better Cowboy up

12/06/11 01:33 PM
Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett is nothing if not colorless. Nor does he take responsibility for Sunday's fiasco in Arizona. That could be a fatal combination. Our take is on the Dallas-Fort Worth TV page.

Plus, Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas continues with Episode 4. And yet another country music special lights up Monday's D-FW Nielsen ratings, this time on Fox.
Ed Bark

Flush with excess -- but college football's parade of meaningless nationally televised bowl games marches on

12/05/11 03:45 PM
Instead of a playoff system, we get 35 post-season bowl games this month and next. Including the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl and the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl. But why stop there? Our rant is here.

Also, the weekend D-FW Nielsen ratings show the Cowboys climbing higher and higher -- in victory and in Sunday's ignominious defeat.
Ed Bark

Countdown to Christmas -- Ep. 3

12/05/11 11:29 AM
Uncle Barky's eclectic, epic "Countdown to Christmas" resumes with an old Dick Van Dyke commercial for a camera that might now be in the Smithsonian alongside Edison's first light bulb.

Plus, NBC5 weekend morning anchor Lindsay Wilcox could hide a lot of holiday gifts in her mushrooming head o' hair. TV's a cosmetic medium, so we cover all bases.
Ed Bark

In a very special episode of Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas . . .

12/02/11 11:50 AM
. . . George Strait lip syncs a happy holiday tune on Perry Como's last ABC Christmas special -- from San Antonio. But he does so with less dexterity than a dog gummin' peanut butter.

Plus, the Wednesday-Thursday D-FW Nielsen ratings are ready to read.
Ed Bark

Fox's new midseason lineup includes return of Kiefer Sutherland

12/02/11 09:49 AM
Fox waited until last to announced its midseason revamps. Three new dramas and a comedy are planned, plus a new start date for American Idol; its Season 11 premiere originally was supposed to follow the Jan. 22nd NFC championship game. Details are on the Network News & Reviews page.
Ed Bark

You'd better watch out, 'cause here comes Uncle Barky's annual Countdown to Christmas

12/01/11 02:40 PM
It's a new month, a crisp, bright day and an apt time to fire up Uncle Barky's eclectic video-fueled "Countdown to Christmas." The first episode is on our Network News & Reviews page.

Plus, see CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley with a mustache during his formative years at Dallas-based WFAA8. And revel in a new over-the-top promo for TNT's new Dallas.

Also, thanks to one and all for your readership. And a special thanks to those who first clicked on one of this website's amazon.com ads before proceeding to do their shopping. A small commission then comes this way. And although it's been said many times many ways -- it all helps.
Ed Bark