Advertisement

The Morning Fix: MGM drama nears finish line. CKX says it’s not for sale anymore. Fox and Cablevision still not playing nice.

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

After the coffee. Before wondering why we pushed moving the clocks back into November.

The Skinny: Here’s a shocker: Mike Tyson had no problem with working with Mel Gibson in ‘The Hangover 2.’ News would be finding someone Tyson wouldn’t work with. Fox and Cablevision continue to fight while New Yorkers scramble to find other ways to watch the World Series. ‘American Idol’ parent CKX is no longer for sale, so you can put your wallet away. Oh, and more stuff about MGM.

Advertisement

Maybe there is a movie in this. The seemingly never-ending fight for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the once-legendary studio now teetering on the verge of irrelevance, is nearing an end. On Friday, the studio’s creditors will cast their votes on a plan that would see MGM file for bankruptcy and emerge with new management. But like any good movie, there is a plot twist. While MGM’s board is pushing to align with Spyglass Entertainment, Lions Gate and Carl Icahn are scrambling to try to spoil those plans. The Wall Street Journal offers one of its tick-tock stories of what’s going on behind the scenes. Meanwhile, here’s the latest on Icahn’s push from the Los Angeles Times.

Fox’s fall. Although none of the broadcast networks have a whole lot to crow about this fall -- check out NBC’s ratings -- Fox is off almost 20% in adults 18-49. Bloomberg warns that the slow start could jeopardize Fox’s six-year winning streak in that key category. Though Fox is notorious for getting off to slow starts only to recover when ‘American Idol’ and ‘24’ return in January, the former is now without Simon Cowell and the latter is retired. In other words, Fox can’t bank on the rebound this season.

Let the rebuilding begin. Miramax, the art-house production shop that fell on hard times and was sold by Walt Disney Co. to a group of investors led by construction magnate Ron Tutor, is setting up its new leadership team. According to the Wrap, Mike Lang, a former top strategist for News Corp.’s Fox, is in the running to be the new CEO. Lang left News Corp. early this year, not long after Peter Chernin left and Chase Carey returned.

Take me out to the ball game. Cablevision subscribers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have a better shot of getting tickets to the World Series than watching it on Fox. On Wednesday, Cablevision made Fox an offer to carry some of its channels, which Fox rejected. If you are a Cablevision subscriber and you buy a package to see the game on MLB.com, the company will reimburse you. The latest on the squabble from the New York Post, and a tutorial on the topic of bundling, which is a key factor in this dispute, from the Los Angeles Times.

It’s not Obama whose reputation is at stake. President Obama went on Jon Stewart’s Comedy Central show Wednesday night. Gone are the days when critics debate whether a president demeans his office by going on comedy chat shows. Now it seems it is the host whose credibility can be hurt. New York Times critic Alessandra Stanley on Obama’s appearance.

Mike doesn’t have a problem with Mel. Mike Tyson, who will make an appearance in the sequel to ‘The Hangover’ told the New York Post he had no problem with Mel Gibson having a cameo in the movie. The idea of Gibson, who is getting heat this time for his rants at his ex-girlfriend, appearing in the latest ‘Hangover’ film was a little too much for some on the set, including Zack Galifiankis. In the meantime, perhaps the producers can go cast Charlie Sheen for a cameo. I’m sure Iron Mike would be OK with that too. Yes, I linked to this item just to get another Charlie Sheen reference in.

Advertisement

Inside the Los Angeles Times: CKX, parent of ‘American Idol’ producer 19 Entertainment, says it is no longer for sale. How New Zealand kept ‘The Hobbit.’ Stephen Levinson, manager and producing partner of Mark Wahlberg, talks about their growing empire of shows on HBO.

-- Joe Flint

Follow me on Twitter. It beats must-see TV. Twitter.com/JBFlint

Advertisement