Erin Burnett on NBC Today Show

The first segment of the Today Show is now back in my routine. This week I have watched CNBC's Erin Burnet co-anchor with Matt Lauer. Here are some quick thoughts (as always these are simply my personal opinions and in no way meant to be taken personally by the reader).
--Burnett is "ok" on this show. She's young. She's growing.. and she's just "OK"
--She's trying too hard at times. Opening the show this AM with a reference to sun needed in NY when the first story was the shooting at the Holocaust Museum was awkward. Lauer knew it. He moved on without a reference. Given more hard news exposure, Lauer is the most under-utilized "hard news" guy at NBC. How long can he keep doing cooking segments.
--When all else fails, reference mom. She's done it this week. Just seems odd.
--I still like Natalie Morales and Ann Curry filling in. Both are strong and enjoyable for different reasons. NOTE: I don't like the silliness that happens on the show sometimes. Curry and Morales, like all the others, get caught up in themselves too often. Still, I watch.

In the end, Burnett is OK. She's easy on the eyes. She is a "TV expert" on the evonomy. She'll grow. SEARCH for more of my posts about Burnett by entering her name in the search box above.


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Is David Gregory (MSNBC) Really A Bad Boy News Anchor? Is Keith Olbermann Out To Get Him?

It seems everyone at MSNBC is after David Gregory: Chris Matthews and now Keith Olbermann. You might ask though... is the career-climbing Gregory after anyone with a better time slot? Much has been made in the last 48 hours about an Olbermann-Gregory blow-up during the Tuesday night coverage of the West Virginia Primary. Listen to the background sounds in this clip. The battle boils down to what you hear.

Jossip and TVNewser have more. Olbermann apparently slammed hit hands on the desk because Gregory's interview segment was running too long. TVNewser reports that Olbermann may have wanted to wrap the segment so the coverage would return at the top of the hour. Gregory was apparently unhappy his air time was cut. Either way, it's the latest saga involving Gregory who by most accounts is the golden-boy anchor of MSNBC's future. It was also recently reported that Tim Russert slapped Gregory's hand (figuratively) for tearing into a waitress in DC. Gregory seems well liked by management. He recently inherited the 6pm time slot from the low rated Tucker Carlson. But, the media chatter lately seems to be more about his growing attitude problems and insider support from management than his skills as an anchor or reporter.

I liked Gregory a lot until recently, hearing of possible power grabs and attitude issues. Few things annoy me about TV news personalities more than those who think they are bigger and better than everyone else... even the content they try to present. If these are all rumors then Gregory will easily rise above them. If they are true, Gregory may well fall into the same trap of TV newsies who allow their ego to become just as inflated as their salaries. It's a sad state of affairs for anchors these days. I hope Gregory can avoid the pitfalls. He has a certian appeal that may be well suited to replace Matt Lauer some day on 'Today'... but it is so much less desirable if he is indeed a tyrant.

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Ann Curry Tosses To Katie Couric On 'Today'

You have to feel a little for Ann Curry on this morning's 'Today' show. Curry, who just returned from a leave after her father's death last week, was wrapping the 7am news segment at 7:17 and tossing back to Meredith Vierra and Matt Lauer. But if you saw the end of the segment, you would have thought you were in a time warp.

Curry: "She said, actually, later on, Matt and Katie and, er, Matt and Al, er, Meredith and Al. Sorry, that was a mistake, I'm not quite myself this morning." Huffington Post has the video clip. It's no wonder Curry gets confused sometimes. There are plenty of anchors rotating throuogh the desk (Matt, Meredith, Natalie, Hoda, Lester, David, etc) to fil the four hours!
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Amy Robach And Jenna Wolfe Anchor NBC's "Today' Together Sunday

What a surprise this Sunday morning to see Amy Robach and Jenna Wolfe anchoring the ‘Today’ show together. Lester Holt is apparently off today. Early in the show, the duo talked about the all-female team at the show this morning (Tamsen Fadel read the news and Janice Huff pulled weather duties).

The 8:30 half hour opened with LIVE coverage of the Pope's arrival at Ground Zero. Robach clearly has the edge carrying coverage like this because of her work on MSNBC. NBC dumped out of the Pope's arrival before he actually arrived. Robach tried to transition to singers on the plaza. It was a bit awkward.. along with the solemn and serious look on Wolfe's face as she glanced over toward Robach. It seemed to be Robach's show. She handled the first segment after news and weather in the first half hour. She handled the first segment after the Pope coverage and weather in the second half hour. There wasn't a lot else unique or different about the show.

There are some clear differences in style for each. Robach is the more traditional news anchor of the two. Some people think that may be a bad thing. Wolfe is a little more casual. But sometimes she is too casual which becomes annoying to some viewers. On Saturdays, Robach seems to have a more natural chemistry with Holt. Sundays, Wolfe appears to catch him off guard sometimes... making it an awkward experience.

A footnote: it will be interesting to see if Robach gets the fill-in duties tonight on ‘NBC Nightly News’.

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Amy Robach on NBC’s Weekend ‘Today’: What I DO Like… and What I DON’T

I’ve blogged often about Amy Robach and Jenna Wolfe anchoring opposite weekend days on ‘Today’ show. Lester Holt stands guard as the co-anchor on both Saturday and Sunday. I admit I’ve been critical of Wolfe for her self-serving anchor style. I also blogged recently about what I DID like about Wolfe on Sunday. So, I thought it only fair to blog about what I DO like about Robach… and because I have criticized Wolfe so often, I must admit a few things I don’t like about Robach on the show.

First, what I do like.
Robach seems natural and focused. She’s not scattered and bouncing around. She’s more of a traditional news anchor who’s there to do the news.
She avoids making the news about her. It’s often a very “light’ show… so the opportunities are plentiful. But, she successfully focuses on the content and not her opinions.
There seems to be a natural fit between Holt and Robach. It’s a comfortable show to watch. Some readers of other posts think the show is too bland with Robach and Holt. I admit that it is more traditional show. I believe it’s still very watchable.
Robach seems to have more “life experiences” similar to viewers who are watching. She may have been a happy-go-lucky, bouncy, giggly, single party girl at one time. Heck, she may still be much of that. (She’s married with kids) But on-air she appears much more connected to content because of her maturity level.

Now a few things I don’t like.
Ocasionally, Robach gets a little too cheesy in the cross-talk with Holt or other anchors. I’ve never noticed it with guests. But sometimes the happy talk is annoying. It’s a far different crosstalk scenario than Holt has with Wolfe.
And, sometimes Robach dresses a little too ‘frumpy”. I’ve seen this more during her anchor shifts on MSNBC than on “Today”. I noticed it today (Friday) when she wore some thick, clunky, brown “jacket”. Robach may be married with kids and love to hang out at home on her off days. But still, she’s a network news anchor. Give me the sharp suits and truly professional news anchor look.

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Matt Lauer Interviews Murder Suspect Drew Peterseon

Matt Lauer interviewed Chicago murder suspect Drew Peterson this morning on 'Today'. New information points to another of Peterson's former wives as having been murder by drowning. Lauer is good at these interviews. He's interviewed Peterson before and conducts a lot of these "suspect" interviews. Lauer's demeanor is tough but in such a way that it's not in-your-face or threatening.

One other quick note... Lauer asked Peterson if there was anything he regretted over the last few months. "Letting Geraldo Rivera into my house" (grin).

New “Today” Show Promo With Focus On Ann Curry, “Ends of the Earth’ Series

‘Today’ has launched a new image campaign: “Why I Love Today”. The promo that aired during the Sunday edition of ‘Today’ focused on how Ann Curry and the Ends of the Earth series helped a woman save her life! To be fair, I’m not sure when the campaign launched. But as a frequent viewer of the NBC product, this is the first time I’ve really noticed “Why I Love Today’ spots.

With a music bed of ‘Why I Love Today’ underneath, a woman sitting at her dining room table says,
“As I was packing to go to Antarctica, I turned on the Today Show and Ann Curry was in Antarctica. We hit an iceberg, We were in life boats for about six hours. We had extra things because I was watching the Today and I was incredibly prepared. My name is Lisa Pizola and this is why I love Today.”

The concept of using viewers who love your news product to convince others to watch is a tried… and proven, concept. This particular promo leaves you with a bit of a “wow’ factor for the connection to ‘Ends of the Earth’. The viewer tells a good story in short time and connects a major event for ‘Today’ with the viewers. It’s a good effort that doesn’t waste valuable promotion time on silly, giggling, laughing anchors.

By the way, here's one of the reports from Curry in Antarctica.

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Who Is The Best Morning News Anchor?
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Best and Worst Morning News Anchors On NBC, ABC & CBS

Who’s the best network morning news anchor? Much has been made in the last few years about the weakened condition of the expanded ‘Today’ on NBC. ABC’s ‘Good Morning America” keeps surging and receding. The wave has stopped well short of ‘Today’ to this point. And, for more than a decade now, the pulse of the ‘Early Show’ on CBS has sputtered along like a car engine ready to collapse.

We all know that major news events drive viewers to turn on the TV remote. But which network they select to watch is difficult to explain. The heated election season or the “Ends of the Earth’ stunt in November seems to have breathed new life into ‘Today’. Others suggest viewers have finally settled in with a preference for Matt and Meredith instead of Diane and Robin. So after much thought and years of watching all three major morning shows, here are my rankings.

THE BEST
Diana Sawyer ABC, Good Morning America
Sawyer is at the top of her game! Wait, we’ve been saying that for years about this often under-appreciated anchor who’s worked at ABC and CBS. Sawyer’s passionate and extensive reporting on international issues gives GMA, and ABC as a whole, a journalistic level that no other network achieves. In fact, with the apparent decreasing importance of world news on Charlie Gibson’s ‘World News’, Sawyer’s occasional but highly promoted and insightful international reporting is among the best on all networks. She’s great with personal stories as well. As to her morning TV duties, Sawyer has a very welcoming tone and demeanor. She, like no other anchor, actually talks to you as viewer. Either she’s really communicating well or her writers have crafted copy to fit her style that she connects with most every story. There’s a big question of whether Diane will leave ABC or hope to replace Charlie Gibson if he steps down from ‘World News’ in the next few years. She and Gibson are the two biggest assets that ABC has now. The network would be well served to keep them both (and happy) for as long as they can. Oh by the way, another reviewer recently pointed out that Sawyer looks better than ever… even at 62. Agreed.

RUNNER UP
Matt Lauer NBC, Today
Lauer is the utility players for ‘Today’ who luckily escaped the unfriendly glare of the Katie Couric years. He was the right thing at the right time for ‘Today’ after the troubled Bryan Gumbel years. Now, Lauer is the glue that holds ‘Today’ together… at least the first two hours. It’s nice to see a good guy finish first. Little was made of Lauer’s contract renewal (which was not too shabby at all). His ability to grill interviewees about serious topics and then transition to the lighter fare of later segments is easy to watch. ‘Today’ already appears to be grooming David Gregory or Lester Holt for a post-Lauer era. While I really like Holt, and Gregory is growing on me, Lauer provides the ‘comfort’ that keeps bringing me back to ‘Today’.

SECOND RUNNERS-UP
Harry Smith – CBS The Early Show
It’s a shame that such a good storyteller has been buried so long on a show that can’t find success to save the executive producers’ job. On ‘Early’, he’s always caught in the muddy waters of weaker female anchors and Dave Price’s gimmicky weather segments. When Smith fills in on ‘CBS Sunday Morning’, it’s always a pleasure to watch. I hope CBS can find such a role for him in the future.
Maggie Rodriguez – CBS The Early Show
She’s the new woman in the AM block… and she’s pretty darn good. She brings a natural quality to the show that seems genuine (only people who work with her know whether that’s true). She’s a breath of fresh air for ‘Early’. Her experience in Miami may have gotten her in the door but her true tests will come as she walks viewers through major news events. To succeed, she will have to think globally and as a leader to engage and gain the confidence of viewers. Time will tell. However, I’m just not convinced that this is the TIME for ‘Early’. Rodriguez may be caught in the revolving door of the CBS morning news slot.

THE REST
Meredith Viera – NBC, Today
I really loved her on ‘The View’. Meredith could be Meredith. On ‘Today’, it’s tough for this laughing, giddy, blunt, opinionate host to become a confident, trusted, respected news anchor. With Lauer at her side, she has a great leaning post. I know ‘Today’ must be more demanding than ‘The View’. I hope she spends the time at ‘Today’ to fulfill her career desires. But, I can’t wait to watch Meredith when she moves on to a show that allows her to be Meredith all the time… not the guarded news anchor at the top of ‘Today’.
Robin Roberts – ABC, Good Morning America
We’ve come to know the very personal and passionate sides of Roberts. Her battle with cancer and her reporting after Katrina connected her to millions of viewers in a way they will never forget. She deserves great applause and support for both. She is an aggressive anchor opposite Sawyer who always managers to take control, even with a calm demeanor. Her weaknesses in taking control of a show appear when Sawyer is a way. There’s just something uneasy or clumsy when Sawyer is not present. Admittedly, that could speak more to the strength of Sawyer than a weakness of Roberts.
Julie Chen – CBS The Early Show
Whether any of us fully agrees with the reasoning for keeping her front and center of ‘Early’ for so long, there is one thing for certain. She’s managed to keep her job on a third-rated morning program when many others haven’t. But, there is a natural connection that is missing in communicating with the morning audience. She may be passionate for her career but she struggles to truly connect to content outside of adlibbed cooking segments.

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A New 'Early Show' on CBS... Much Like The Old Show So Far

The 'Early Show' from CBS News debuted its slightly revamped team this morning... along with a set "upgrade".
Former WFOR anchor, and most recently 'Saturday Early Show' anchor Maggie Rodriguez joined Harry Smith and Julie Chen at the anchor desk. At first glance, its basically the same show with some new ribbons wrapped around it. From a content standpoint, CBS's second story this morning was a profile piece of Barack Obama, which happened to go head to head with 'Good Morning America's' EXCLUSIVE 'Behind the Scenes' with Obama. Sure the content looked a little different. But, both shows had Obama interviews... and 'Early' didn't sit back quietly and watch ABC promote an 'exclusive' piece with the leading presidential candidate. One other content note. In the interview with Hillary Clinton, she said she was going to keep going 'until the process ends February 5.' Even she apparently believes Feb. 5 is the national election. I think the new leadership at 'Early' clearly realizes that great content makes the biggest difference. Gone apparently is the first weather from outisde with Dave Price who is now almost side by side with Russ Mitchell at the news desk. While not dramatically different, the graphics are a little more crisp and clear without all of the screaming orange.

The only duty for the new co-host n the first half houri was to tease an element at the top of the show and then read the copy for the 'Viral Video of the Morning' before the toss to local cutaways. Rodriguez brought a lot of life to WFOR and did the same thing with her very brief time on the weekend edition of the "Early Show.' But it seems she may not realize just how tough this mountain for the 'Early Show' is to climb. 'Today' and "Good Morning America' are not in crisis mode. Both are solid efforts... in what's become a light and feature franchise time period for network news. Bryant Gumble and Jane Clayson were perhaps given most financial support in trying to build this CBS show. That didn't work. The roundtable concept of four anchors on 'Early' limped along. Last year, CBS ditched two of those anchors and bumped Rodriguez from weekends. Time will be the true test... but these changes seem minor in the bigger scope of what viewers may need to tune in to the 'Early Show"

CHECK OUT OTHER MORNING NEWS POSTS
'Today' and 'GMA' Expansions
10 Predictions for TV News in 2008

10 Predictions for TV News in 2008

ABC’s ‘World News’ with Charles Gibson finally clearly beats NBC’s Brian Williams and ‘Nightly News’ for the year. He had some success in 2007. But there will be little to celebrate for ABC, NBC or CBS. The audience for evening news shows will hold steady for most of 2008… only because of a heated Presidential race. After November, the erosion becomes a landslide.


‘Good Morning America’ makes another run for the morning show crown against ‘Today.’ NBC remains on top though. But, the show struggles with the fourth hour continuing to weaken and Meredith Viera wondering if she wants to go home to the family instead of working so much. In the end, 'Today' holds the crown. Look for the content after the first half hour to continue to be light and fluffy. CBS’s revamped ‘Early Show’ debuts in January with little change in ratings.

Campbell Brown debuts with a modest degree of publicity on CNN in February. But ratings quickly fall to levels below where even Paul Zahn hovered. CNN realizes Campbell is good… but not the solution to their prime time battle for viewers with FOX. Campbell helps CNN through the election year and its coverage of the campaigns She will bring a needed degree of attractive anchor appeal to the coverage with Blitzer, Crawley and King.

Larry King finally announces the date for his retirement from CNN. While his contract is good into 2009, he’ll talk about reasons he needs to step down a bit early. If his health permits, I would bet he continues to do some type of work... just not on CNN and not at 9pm.

FOX News prime time grows and grows with Bill O'Reilly at the helm! The election year will give him plenty of controversial topics to examine. The Presidential race will help CNN as well but CNN stays far behind FOX in prime. The 8pm hour will struggle. Larry King remains the biggest draw while he’s on-air. And, Anderson Cooper will continue to rake in a ton of money for a show that will continue to do only average ratings and demos for CNN.

NBC will stick with Jenna Wolfe co-anchoring the Sunday edition of ‘Today’. Her presence will continue to expand at NBC some how.

There’s another storm front rolling toward ‘The View’. Elisabeth Hasselbeck will want to spend more time with her children. Barbara Walters will do even less of the show. Whoopi Goldberg does OK… and manages to hold the show together.

Keith Olbermann gets his due. MSNBC will consider several ways to expand his roll in prime.

While the content of the ‘CBS Evening News” continues to improve, Katie Couric will decide she’s tired of the second-guessing and challenges in her evening time slot. She will announce plans to leave CBS at a later date for ‘other projects’. Expect a talk show or web venture. CBS will struggle to find the person it wants to build the 'Evening News' around. It won't be an easy task with the overall decline in the relevance and importance of such evening newscasts.

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My TOP 10 Blog Posts This Year
TV News Video Highlights
A Local TV News Story That Touched America

2007 - A Year To Remember In TV News

As the year comes to a close, I wanted to take a quick look back at some of the memorable moments in TV news this year. Heres a look at some national news stories or events. Comment below with your thoughts.
Also, over the weekend, I'll post what I think was the best local news story that touched America this year. It was produced as a general assignment, 'news of the day story'. Any guesses what it is? Comment below.
Today Goes to the ends of the Earth - A stunt that paid off with great content!

Brian Williams on SNL

CNN’s First YouTube Debate

FOX Business Launch

Charles Gibson Wins Sweeps period

Don Imus – "Nappy hoes " -- he said it, not me!

Diane Sawyer in Syria

NBC Release of VA Tech shooter tapes

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QUICK NOTES: American Idol, Rosie, CNN, Russert and ‘Today’

A FOX email tonight now blasts "We now have the highly anticipated season premiere info" for American Idol Season 7. It's a two-night, four-hour "event" on January 15 adn 16th. Other networks are already hanging their heads for the ratings whip. Watch PREVIEW CLIPS of auditions.
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Rosie O’Donnell talks on her website tonight about the MSNBC deal collapse. She uses a sports metaphor nonetheless.
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LostRemote reports on CNN introducing a countdown clock on some of its commercial clusters. The clock lets viewers know when “CNN returns in….”
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Tim Russert says he may go on the new Dom Imus radio show "if NBC doesn't say no.' (TV Barn)
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Could ‘Today’ be slipping faster than expected. As noted on TVNewser, GMA best today on Monday of last week by more than 100,000 viewers. By week’s end, ‘Today’ was back on top.

TODAY: Ends of the Earth Review

**Scroll Down to See Brian Williams, Barack Obama SNL Post**

There was an interesting start to 'Today's live-event Ends of the Earth. Beautfiul scenery and a potential to really explain why the world is warming at an alarming rate helped. As the show opened, the traditional scene-setters helped establish a presence. But, a better summary could have come in atleast one taped-piece from Lauer near the top of the show, instead of Anne Curry and Al Roker stumbling through scripted voiceover content. :45 to 1:00 with a focus on why the issue of global warming is so important to us would have helped set the stage for the entire broadcast.

TODAY: Ends of the Earth

**Scroll down for the Brian Williams, SNL, Barack Obama post**

Monday, the 'Today' show goes to the Ends of the Earth (no, they say, it's not a ratings stunt) with Anne Curry in Antarctica, Al Roker at the Equator and Matt Laurer in Greenland. Read More from Today (special note, you'll have to scroll down, their web page is not loading correctly)...
*You would think that with such a heavily promoted 'Today' special, the folks at 'Good Morning America' would have thier own 'big news' for Monday. You won't find it on their website. In fact, you won't find any promotion to Monday's show on the site...
*Out of curiousity I checked the "Early Show' site (disclosure here.. I have not watched this show since I left the CBS station where I was news director). Little has changed. There IS a promotion for Monday. Monday, Nov. 5: Legendary opera star Andrea Bocelli will be performing live. If you're in the tri-state area and would like to attend, please join us at our studio, Fifth Avenue and 59th St. at 7:15. HUH? First, "tri-state" area? Are they producing for New York or the rest of us across the country too? Tourist who visit and want to stop by would NEVER describe New York as 'tri-state." Secondly, Monday's promo is under a promo for yesterday's 'Early Show' (as of this writing). We're all short staffed on the weekend but out dated promos online are a pet peeve of mine! Can someone yank it off from home then? LOL

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Brian Williams To Host SNL; Today's Announcement

Brian Williams will host 'Saturday Night Live' on November 3. It's an interesting choice for the start of November sweeps. You could have logically argued that Williams was a potential host when he took over 'Nightly News' from Tom Brokaw. He was popular in the press. He was being talked about everywhere.. could he keep the show on top? Well, since then his show has fallen to Charlie Giboson and Williams is not the most talked about evening news anchor these days. It's a pattern for NBC though. Remember when Katie Couric hosted the 'Tonight Show' and Jay Leno woke up on 'Today'?

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Speaking of 'Today'. Everyone's buzzing about an announcement coming Tueday at 12:15pm from the 'Today' show team. It seems a press release points to a conference call. It's hard to believe that this is major news.

IF, for example, Meredith was leaving (she's apparently not hot on the long hours and time away from family) I would hope bigger NBC brass would be a part of the press conference to reassure people of the show's stability.

The same may not be true if Al or Anne were moving on. We'll have to wait and see. Meanwhile.....

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"Matt Laurer Reports" - NBC touted next Tuesday's interview with toe-tapping Senator Larry Craig as part of a 'Matt Lauer Reports.' How many of those prime time specials have there been? Usuaully his big 'gets' are rolled into a 'Dateline' special. Even Friday morning during 'Today', Lauer promoted the interview and the prime time special. While the graphic on screen said "Matt Laurer Report" Matt chose to interchange his name with "NBC News Reports." It was just interesting how he downplayed his name attached to the special. NBC might be wise to provide Lauer more opportunities for prime time specials (Tuesday's announcement?).
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While You're Here...

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Quick Post: ‘Today” All About CNBC

If you caught the ‘Today’ show this morning (Tuesday), you would have thought it was CNBC. In the first 18 minutes of the show, three (count them.. 3) CNBC anchors/reporters appeared on air. No doubt it’s not a blatant attempt to pump CNBC before Fox’s FBC debut next week. I’m sure next week will be a catfight between the networks of NBC and FOX. Can’t wait to watch!