Left Coast Bias

• 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

• Left Coast Bias: NBA Must Bounce Gunslinger to Preserve Product

  By Ben Grossman, January 9, 2010
  David Stern, you must throw gun-toting Gilbert Arenas out of the league and never let him play another NBA game. Mr. Commissioner, live up to your last name and toss his ass out for good. And if his buddy Javaris Crittenton is also guilty, send him packing as well.  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

• Left Coast Bias: What Recovery?

  By Ben Grossman, November 7, 2009
  You'd think I'd be in a good place right now. It's 70 and sunny every single day here, my hometown Minnesota Vikings and this hotshot youngster Brett Favre are easing their way to a Super Bowl appearance, and I continue to strategically outwit the wife's misguided notions about having a third child. But unfortunately as I write this, I am getting ready to leave for a long weekend in the place w...  More

• Left Coast Bias: We Are Sinners, All of Us

  By Ben Grossman, October 31, 2009
  Last week, I barely escaped a massive snowstorm in Denver, only to arrive in a torrential windstorm in Los Angeles. Given that the wrath of a higher power was seemingly after me, maybe it should not have been a surprise that on the flight out of the Rockies, I was actually called an “infidel” to my face.  More

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