http://www.insidebayarea.com/tv/ci_4059607
Cable shows lose their grip on self-control Column by Susan Young PASADENA - IF CABLE WERE A KID, there would be some soap swishing around in a mouth right about now. The first week of cable presentations came to a close earlier this week during the TV critics' summer press tour, but not before the Naked Trucker performed live on stage, and we learned about a new Comedy Central broadband series featuring male genitals. Oh, and Kiss frontman Gene Simmons — who thinks he's still a hot young rock star — wagged his legendary tongue at a (not me) middle-age TV critic and did the bump-and-grind on her as she tried to interview him in our hotel lobby. Perhaps he misunderstood her request for a one-on-one. USA Network offered up the new series "Who Wants to be a Superhero?" where people dress up as superheroes and try to convince comic book master Stan Lee (Spider-man) that their character should be the subject of his next comic book. A few of the contestants were scattered in the room to hand out microphones to writers who wanted to ask questions. One of the Superhero wannabes was dressed in a shocking pink dominatrix-type outfit complete with a whip. When she bent over to hand a microphone to someone, her mini skirt hiked up to reveal all the groceries in the cupboard. Remember when A&E used to stand for the Arts and Entertainment Channel? It's now about bare backsides and, well, what Viagra poster boy Simmons just can't stop getting. Simmons, by the way, was promoting his new Osbournes-like reality series featuring his long-time partner, former Playboy Playmate Shannon Tweed, and their two children, Nick and Sophie. The title? "Gene Simmons' Family Jewels." OK, moving on. And just when did the high-brow Bravo switch to shows such as the sleazy reality series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" and the new reality series "Work Out" that makes the Playboy mansion look like Boy Scout camp? "I think (our series are) absolutely about the arts and culture. We're not focusing on the traditional arts," programming head Frances Berwick said. "We have broadened our definition (of the arts), and our viewers are clearly responding. It's about exploring our culture." Did anyone else get that spinning sensation just now? Of course no one expects Comedy Central to stay out of the sophomoric male humor zone. And honestly, "The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show" promises to be hilarious. Still, it's one thing to see a partially naked guy on TV. It's quite another to start your morning with a man walking out on stage with his chicken McNuggets hidden only by a Gibson guitar. And those of us sitting near the side of the stage quickly realized we were going to get a full cheek view of his backside. It's enough to make a TV writer from Livermore lose her cornflakes. But any semblance of self-control went right out the front door with the session on Comedy Central's new broadband line-up on http://www.motherload.com. Creators Nick Bakay and Michael Weithorn chatted easily about his online series "Baxter & McGuire." Baxter and McGuire are two nuts in the same sack, overshadowed by their neighbor Mr. Penis in these two-minute cartoons. "It is in a way a very relatable story, these two guys who labor in the nether regions and are rarely thought about or given any credit," said the straight-faced Weithorn. "It's a story best told in small doses." Right. Good 'Grey's' news On Thursday, our hopes were raised a bit when Oscar-winner producer Craig Zadan mentioned San Francisco native Eric Dane would be returning to "Grey's Anatomy." Dane plays a man who works for the Governor of Maine and is engaged to his daughter. His gay brother Shel (John Stamos) stirs up trouble for him after the Governor comes out against gay marriage. "Eric just started this season of 'Grey's Anatomy,' and we were trying to (get the movie done) before he starts work today," Zadan said. Dane back on "Grey??? The fetching Dane played the guy who broke up Dr. McDreamy's marriage — and he was smokin' hot. But afterward, Dane insisted that he wasn't going to be back this season, and that he was just on the show last season. Let's hope he's contractually obligated to say that so the surprise isn't ruined. But when I visit the set this week, "Grey's Anatomy," we'll get to the bottom of this. If you have any TV questions for Susan Young, you can e-mail her at [EMAIL PROTECTED] while she's in Pasadena for the press tour. For the most up-to-date scoop on celebrity happenings, read her blog at http://www.insidebayarea.com/tv. You can find out why Mr. T pities the fool, what it's like to toss the football around the Rose Bowl field with CBS stars and what "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino is up to these days. Reply with a "Thank you" if you liked this post. _____________________________ MEDIANEWS mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
