Left Coast Bias

• How to Fix ‘American Idol'

  By Ben Grossman, March 15, 2010
  I don’t mind admitting that I have been a big American Idol fan for a long time. I remember where I was when Carrie Underwood sang the Tiffany song. I got excited every week to see what Adam Lambert would do—and wear—next. And as I have said before, I truly believe my life would be better if the host of the show would go back to closing it every night with those two words that used to send me warmly into the night: “Seacrest out.”  More

• CBS Research Chief's Theory: TV Still a Big Bang

  By Claire Atkinson, February 22, 2010
  CBS Corp. Chief Research Officer David Poltrack is on a mission to correct misapprehensions that TV is any less effective than it’s ever been, or the assumption that marketers are dropping it in favor of other media. And while that is a predictable stance from a company so dependent on TV advertising, Poltrack is adamant that he has the numbers to prove it. And CBS’ solid earnings report last week didn’t hurt his cause, which he is hardly shy about sharing.  More

• Left Coast Bias: Bird and Magic Conquer the Divide

  By Ben Grossman, March 1, 2010
  HBO's fantastic new documentary on basketball's greatest rivalry also explores the underlying story of race relations in American sports 30 years ago.  More

• Why You Should Learn From Fox News

  By Ben Grossman, February 8, 2010
  Fox News is not on top of its competitors and throwing off mounds of cash because there is a Democrat in the Oval Office or any other political issue. Fox News' success is based on one thing alone: It makes good television.  More

• My Optimism Gets Fumbled Away

  By Ben Grossman, January 31, 2010
  Last week was supposed to be great. It was set to start off with a trip to New Orleans to see the mighty Vikings crush the Saints; followed by a flight to Las Vegas for a couple of high-profile, onstage NATPE chats about how our world is looking up; then finally back to Los Angeles in time to catch the Apple announcement that would change the universe.  More

• What Scares Me Most About Leno's 10 P.M. Flop

  By Ben Grossman, January 23, 2010
  Jeff Zucker called it “a mistake.” Jeff Gaspin said it was probably “too soon.” So, it would seem now that universally, NBC's move to strip Jay Leno's show at 10 p.m. will be remembered right up there with New Coke and the XFL. Why exactly it tanked will be debated. I think a big part of it, from watching the show and actually sitting down with Leno one-on-one for an h...  More

• An Open Letter to 2009

  By Ben Grossman, December 19, 2009
  Dear 2009: Screw you. Seriously, die. You can't end quickly enough. Forget silver linings and all that crap, let's be honest: You stunk.  More

• Left Coast Bias: There Are No Stupid Questions, Just Stupid People

  By Ben Grossman, December 12, 2009
  Forever bowing before the customer is partly what got the media business into this mess in the first place. Of course they want everything when they want it, how they want it, and for free. Because lately we have taught them that they should expect it.  More

• 10 Things to Watch About Comcast-NBCU

  By Ben Grossman, December 5, 2009
  First came the deal, now comes the waiting. As the mega-merger between Comcast and NBCU goes through its process, here are 10 things I'm wondering about. 1 Jeff Zucker's fate. Comcast can appreciate a great cable business as much as anyone, and under Zucker, NBC Universal has grown into one. But the broadcast network's fall under his watch has industry insiders buzzing about whether he will mak...  More

• Left Coast Bias: What They Said…and What They Meant

  By Ben Grossman, November 14, 2009
  Given that Thanksgiving is almost upon us, the default mechanism of every columnist is to write a piece about what they are thankful for. Like how I am thankful to the Fox PR people for sending the Glee soundtrack because now my 3-year-old kid is addicted to Journey's “Don't Stop Believin'.” A father is never prouder than when he hears his pre-schooler belting out the words, “...  More

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