MediaMarketalk

"On The Shoulders of Giants" is a great film to see in light of recent developments in the NBA. The film was written by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (also the executive producer) and Anna Waterhouse. The film was released on February 11, 2011.

We can't say our members were frequent viewers of "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson", which airs on CBS , and therefore have a vested interest in his departure from late-night television, but now we're actually starting to feel sorry for Ferguson. As most of you know, Ferguson who has been host of The Late Late Show since 2005 was passed over as David Letterman's successor for the "Late Show" (CBS went with Stephen Colbert instead and we wholeheartedly agree with that selection), but now Ferguson is seemingly insulted by Letterman, whose production company produced his show, who read from prepared comments as he acknowledged Ferguson's departure. We suppose you never have friends in the entertainment business, instead, you have associates, and as long as that association is mutually beneficial you're friends. It's been reported that Ferguson's next television gig will be hosting a syndicated game show "Celebrity Name G

The 68th Tony Award show will air on CBS June 8, 2014.  The Tony Awards' website has a complete list of 2014 nominees .

It seems HBO's "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" mirrors "The Daily Show" in a good way! Apparently the producers at HBO felt The Daily Show's format best fit Oliver's skills and timing. So why mess with a formula if it's working and right now from the early numbers, (Sunday's premiere delivered 1.1 million viewers) Oliver has a winning formula. Related: A Spot Of Tea and Fun with Jon and John John Oliver to Host Weekly Comedy on HBO  John Oliver's Hosting Gig Goes International 

Sunday's episode of Game of Thrones , although criticized in some media outlets, pulled in 6.9 million viewers against a highly watched NBA playoff game that went into overtime! The now somewhat controversial episode , (based on last week's rape scene, that some say wasn't exactly, but if it was or wasn't, the showrunners did not deal with this controversial scene in Sunday's episode), shows no signs of slowing down. Related: 'Game of Thrones' Ties Premiere Viewership

Jon Stewart has fun with the royals and sips tea with The Daily Show's former fill-in host John Oliver . Oliver's new show, " Last Week Tonight with John Oliver ", debuts Sunday, April 27 on HBO. It was fun to see the two together! Related :  John Oliver to Host Weekly Comedy on HBO Promo for 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver' Promo The Daily Show Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes , The Daily Show on Facebook , Daily Show Video Archive

Although Seth Meyers was recently named in Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People issue, hosting the 2014   Primetime Emmys this year might do more to help his career. As we all know, hosting award shows can have a down side, and Late Night with Seth Meyers is holding in the ratings, so the Emmy hosting gig, provided all goes well, could be a big boost for Meyers. Related : Brutal But Honest Review of 'Late Night With Seth Meyers' Hollywood Entertainment Breaking News - http://t.co/y0EGWNc2M9 http://t.co/ReCAooijA8 via @deadline — ConversationCircle (@ConversationCir) April 25, 2014

Apple's CEO, Tim Cook , sees no big threat in Amazon's multi-year deal with HBO. Cook cited HBO's deal was for "older content" and noted that HBO GO is already on Apple TV .  While indicating Apple would like to play a bigger role in television, (Apple TV sales totaled $1billion last year) Cook is optimistic about the role Apple will play in television's future. This is welcome news for Apple fans (this includes some of our members) who have long-wondered why Apple TV's development appeared to be stagnant. Related: HBO Will Be Available On Amazon Prime Instant Video

Looks like Amazon intends to give Netflix a run for its money. Amazon's multi-year deal (and major coup) with HBO, beginning on May 21st, will allow Amazon Prime subscribers to stream popular HBO series. Eventually  HBO GO will be available on Amazon's Fire TV. Press Release: SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 23, 2014-- (NASDAQ:AMZN)—Amazon.com, Inc. today announced a content licensing agreement with HBO, making Prime Instant Video the exclusive online-only subscription home for select HBO programming. The collection includes award-winning shows such as The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Wire, Big Love, Deadwood, Eastbound & Down, Family Tree, Enlightened, Treme, early seasons of Boardwalk Empire and True Blood, as well as mini-series like Band of Brothers, John Adamsand more. Previous seasons of other HBO shows, such as Girls, The Newsroom and Veep will become available over the course of the multi-year agreement, approximately three years after airing on HBO.

Interesting coverage of yesterday's oral arguments in the legal dispute between Aereo and television broadcasters . It seems the word gimmick has surfaced and it could be a determining factor in the case. A ruling is expected by late June. Chief Justice Slams Aereo At Supreme Court Hearing In Copyright Lawsuit http://t.co/0Pdxf7Yvvk via @deadline — ConversationCircle (@ConversationCir) April 23, 2014 How did television broadcasters cover the Aereo case on the evening news?  For starters ABC World News with Diane Sawyer did not report on the Aereo case. The other broadcasters did not follow suit:  How the Evening Newscasts Covered the Aereo Supreme Court Arguments http://t.co/AjzHNZ0BAk via @tvnewser — ConversationCircle (@ConversationCir) April 23, 2014

The media landscape is changing so quickly apparently the supreme court justices are concerned about a ruling, in the Aereo (a technology based company that allows subscribers to view live and streamed over-the-air television on the internet) and television broadcasters legal dispute, that is too broad in scope might unintentionally hurt "cloud computing".  Some in the media have likened the Aereo case to the Napster court case of 2000. Anyway you look at it consumers by and large feel "free over-the-air" television is disappearing and anything worth watching is packaged by cable companies at monthly prices that often equal a car payment. Justices Express Concern Over a Sweeping Aereo Ruling http://t.co/28NJIBSAFj via @Variety — ConversationCircle (@ConversationCir) April 22, 2014

Video We hate to delve into political stories, but we loved the total hypocrisy illustrated in this segment. The Daily Show Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes , Indecision Political Humor , The Daily Show on Facebook

It seems Netflix is the first major web company to come out against Comcast acquiring Time-Warner Cable. The word monopoly (and we don't mean the game) keeps coming up when discussing this deal. The question seems to be, is Comcast a media-bully? If not, would this acquisition let them become one? And, has Netflix just stood up to the potential bully? Time will tell. Netflix opposes Comcast’s merger with Time Warner Cable, calls it anticompetitive http://t.co/1Bn7F1dFRM — ConversationCircle (@ConversationCir) April 22, 2014

We think everyone saw this coming. Netflix justifies the increase by noting its expanded streaming library. Subscribers now pay $7.99 monthly. The expected increase will be $1.00 for new U.S. subscribers. Existing  subscribers will feel the increase after a "generous time period." Perhaps some of the justification should include production costs for a stellar original program! Netflix Is Raising Prices For New Subscribers http://t.co/K4vYfE0EWJ via @sai — ConversationCircle (@ConversationCir) April 22, 2014

"The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon" has a funny (juxtaposed with Williams' serious tone) video making the rounds this morning. We think this is Brian William's second  seventh rap video. Video: NBC Nightly News managing editor and anchor Brian Williams raps Snoop Dogg's classic "Gin and Juice."

Last night's second episode of "Game of Thrones" did not disappoint viewers, as the search for King Joffrey's killer got underway, or HBO as the show was able to tie season four's premiere of 6.6 million viewers at 9PM and another 1.6 million with its two replays.  Related: 'Game Of Thrones' Shocker And 'Mad Men' Premiere Slump   'Game of Thrones' Season 4 Is King  'Game Of Thrones' Back For Season 4

"Meet the Press" is the longest running television show ever, and after more than a decade in the number one spot, (while hosted by the much revered Tim Russert) for Sunday morning political shows MTP , hosted by David Gregory , has dropped into third place behind   CBS ' Face The Nation  and ABC's This Week. MTP's  glory days are long gone, and apparently for the past three years getting worse. Now it's been reported that NBC News conducted what it calls "brand consulting" to see how Gregory "connects with viewers. Perhaps if NBC simply checked social media sites and online comments figuring out why viewers stopped watching MTP would be easy. We don't think Gregory's lack of connection with viewers has anything to do with 'the ghost' of Tim Russert, but has everything to do with Gregory himself.  Gregory seems to lack the hard-driving (he's swishy-washy really) interviewing style necessary to push back on the hacks an

"Tuition", a young woman's plea to private loan giant Sallie Mae to cut her some slack, music video parody of Beyonce's "Partition" was created by Chanel Carroll who also stars in the video. The message his highly relatable to the millions of recent and not so recent college graduates trying to pay back student loans in a sluggish economy with stagnant wages. We think it's funny.

Judging by Roger Sterlings' activities on last night's "Mad Men" premiere , the show will not only coincide with the Nixon White House, we'll also be thrown into America's sexual revolution. Talking to Gay Talese About Roger Sterling, Mad Men, and the Sexual Revolution

SPOILER ALERT: Stop reading if you plan to WATCH Game of Thrones. HBO's "Game of Thrones" drew 6.3 million live viewers last night, that's up 48% over last year's second episode, to watch what can only be called a shocker, the cruel and hated King Joffrey was killed off. We were so shocked, we had to actually watch it twice. It was probably the most satisfying death we've ever seen. We only wish it lasted longer. (Are you wondering who poisoned Joffrey? Or, do you have a good guess? Our guess, Shae did it!) The mystery of who killed King Joffrey will probably last the entire season and we're okay with that! Related: 'Game of Thrones' Season 4 Is King 'Game Of Thrones' Back For Season 4  AMC's "Mad Men" on the on the other hand was down for its seventh and final season opener. The season premiere averaged 2.3 million viewers, which was well below last year's season opener of 3.37 million and the June finale (2.69

We are experiencing the "wheel of death" on one of our main computers. We hope to be up and running again tomorrow.  TGIF. 

We think CBS ' decision to replace David Letterman , when he retires as host of "Late Night with David Letterman" in 2015, with cable host Stephen Colbert is a fresh choice that signals CBS' desire to capture the on-trend and youth oriented environment Colbert has created, and move it to network television. Of course for the most part it's always about ratings and demos: In the last seven weeks Colbert's median age for viewers was 41.9 (633, 000 were in the most coveted demographic 18 to 49), while Jimmy Fallon's median age was 53.3 and Jimmy Kimmel's median age was 55.8. What Colbert won't be bringing to CBS is the right-wing character he portrays on the " Colbert Report ". Some critics wonder if Colbert will be as funny if he plays himself considering his success has been based on a "character" he portrays and therefore he might suffer from typecasting. However, with Colbert's selection and with Letterman's r

The Daily Show's Jon Stewart has a lot of fun with FNC's coverage of spring break. We don't go out for politics, but we think it's funny and ironic! Check it out: The Daily Show Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes , Indecision Political Humor , The Daily Show on Facebook

Awww. We couldn't help but love this video of Prince George being socialized during his New Zealand trip. He is a cute and apparently happy baby! There are great photos  of the young heir too.

Back in October we were talking about Bravo Media to Reinforce Reality , and at the same time, we were hoping Bravo would create programming that would "excite us again". Well, that seems doubtful. Yesterday Bravo unveiled their slate of programs, and once again viewers will be trapped in the, wannabe, I am rich, I will do anything to get a show on Bravo, world of people who often elicit eye-rolling and snarky remarks from viewers.   We readily admit most of our members currently or previously watched at least four Bravo shows. Yes, we did! However, over the years have we have discovered the term 'familiarity breeds contempt' is especially true for the Real Housewives franchise and Bravo in general. Gone are the days of rehashing and analyzing details of a particular show with friends. Now most comments or social posts are met with dismissive 'sighs' that relay, "I'm over it!" Perhaps in shooting for the lowest common denominator, Bravo i

Ratings At 9PM on April 6, a total of 6.6 million viewers (including us) were watching the often bloody and grisly "Game Of Thrones" season 4 premiere. This was GoT's most-watched episode  to date, and the most-watched episode of any HBO series since 2007. Season four of GoT was up 52% from season three's premiere. Another 1.6 million viewers watched the show at 11PM and 1AM. Bringing the Nielsen's ratings up to 8.2 million. HBO GO (where our members were able to get caught up) is expected to drive the numbers even higher. As we've stated before, we just wish GoT would pick up the pace just a little bit. Related: Games Of Thrones Back For Season 4 House Of Cards Welcomes Game Of Thrones Back

Game of Thrones S eason 4 , finally premiered last night! Did someone say season four would not be as slow as season three , well that remains to be seen. If HBO Go (HBO's streaming service) is any indication, fans flocked to the web to see the premier, but the service was so overwhelmed it crashed. We're pretty sure the ratings were through the roof, as it seems Game of Thrones is the latest must-see series. Related : House Of Cards Welcomes Game Of Thrones Back

No competition here so it's easy to be charitable. If we had to decide which to watch live, well let's say we're happy we won't have to. However, Mad Men's final season starts next week! Anyway, we thought this was a cool tweet from Netflix's House of Cards team: Welcome back, @GameofThrones . May the best House win. #FU pic.twitter.com/khW0Hg3MXK — House of Cards (@HouseofCards) April 7, 2014

We can't stop listening to Pharrell's break out song, "Happy" from "Despicable Me 2". We think the song feels like a combination of cool 60s wanna be a beatnik music, and the Motown sound, so the 24-hour video of Happy is fun to watch. Watching people dance to the song brings a smile to your face. It's interesting to see how each person interprets the music in movement.  We're not sure when, if ever, we'll get tired of the song. Anyway we think Happy makes you want to snap your fingers, clap your hands and dance, in the most silly way, and it make you feel, well, happy! http://t.co/PNObUYYrEr #24hoursofhappy — ConversationCircle (@ConversationCir) April 7, 2014

We'll be back on Monday, April 7

This is a fun piece to read on a Friday! Update: Michael Tolkin Gets Back to Us About Why Hollywood People Never Say 'No' http://t.co/SIpnUcwuvJ — Hollywood Reporter (@THR) April 4, 2014

CABLE RATINGS We were checking out the cable ratings for the 1st quarter of 2014, just to get an idea of what people are watching. Surprisingly, HGTV is ranked #10 in total day parts. We stopped watching HGTV a long time ago. (Too many house hunting shows!) Obviously, we were alone in that decision. On the news front, of course Fox News was the top cable news station. MSNBC came in 27th for primetime ("The Rachel Maddow Show" being the highest rated show for MSNBC) and 28th for total day. (This was also the lowest quarter for MSNBC's "Morning Joe".  We're not sure why, but we had to stop watching MJ. We thought the show's formatting  seemed to be all over the place with little direction and the "conversations" became noise.) CNN placed 35th for primetime and 30th for total day. (Hopefully, CNN's Jeff Zucker's experimenting is still ongoing.) The top ten cable networks for total day and primetime are listed below.    

A&E has finally ordered something we might find remotely interesting. "The Herbert Brothers", a docuseries that follows 5 brothers who started an advertising agency in a small town after winning a Super Bowl commercial contest a few years ago, will begin production this summer on eight half-hour episodes. The only question, will any of the 5 brothers be charismatic enough to generate interest.