A Little of the Old In and Out



(image via uhfmag)

In: Mel Karmazin. In an age where many radio executives are busy reaching for the next rung up the corporate ladder, Mel Karmazin's laser-like devotion to the best programming and minimal commercial interruption -- unlike other satellite companies -- is quite refreshing. In 2007 Sirius gets Nascar, for example.

At this stage in the evolution of satellite radio, Karmazin is focusing on getting Sirius-ready hardware to automobile, RV and boat manufacturers as well as retailers. Smart move considering that when presented with the option of a 43 cents a day add-on. At yesterday's automobile conference, according to Radio Ink (link via iwantmedia):

"Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Mel Karmazin gave the keynote speech at the Morgan Stanley Global Automotive Conference yesterday morning in New York. He spoke on a wide-ranging array of radio-related topics including music. Karmazin said he could pay significantly higher fees to the recording industry if they removed music from terrestrial stations and created a situation where music was only available on satellite radio.

"He also told the group that people are happy with Sirius. He pointed to the fact that 'over 90 % of those surveyed are satisfied with service and 86 % would recommend Sirius to a friend.'

�'Relevant to this group,' he added, 'is that in spite of iPod and other alternatives that exist, 94% of people (still) listen to radio in the course of a week and they listen for over 19 hours a week '

"... Karmazin said that Sirius is at around 50% brand awareness, and that he thinks it�s great that there�s still 50% who don�t have a clue about satellite radio. These are the people who 'we�re going to be able to get interested in satellite radio.'"

That's a tall order, but if anyone can do it ..



(image via drudgereport)

Out: Commander-in-Chief. The always interesting Bill Carter of The Old Gray Lady conjures up a decidedly Darwinian assesment of which shows are most likely to be picked up for another season by the networks. (The Corsair sparks a Cohiba Robusto) In it, Carter mentions that ABC's embattled "Commander-in-Chief" has a slim but conceiveable chance. Commander-in-Chief, we must add, was a compelling drama; unfortunately, that drama was behind the scenes and off-camera. (Exaggerated cough suggesting feigned detachment) Drudgie-poo today poo-poos any notion that the show has enough oxygen to survive the cut:

"ABC is preparing to dismiss the first female president of The United States -- after less than a year on the job!

"While it is not clear if the country is ready for a woman to take the title of COMMANDER IN CHIEF, TV executives at ABC have all but decided to pull the plug on the breakthrough drama, top sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.

"'No one here will say publicly that it's over [for the show],' a well-placed insider said this week from Los Angeles. 'But it is over.'"

"The program returns this evening after a long recess -- with the president's husband groping an intern!"

From Darwin's Finches to intern pinches. (Drudgie-poo)



(image via fashionweekdaily)

In: Lindsay Lohan. Lindsay Lohan's ongoing quest to outdo her arch-nemesis Scarlett Johnnsen is going rather ducky. She's hanging with Streep and Altman("Herbie: Fully Loaded" is readily fogotten); she's maintaining a sensible weight; she's associating herself with the more elegant fashion houses. (The Corsair gathers his forces) According to the brilliant Jim Shi of Fashionweekdaily:

"First Marc, now Donatella�Lindsay Lohan has certainly been getting around lately. At the Calvin Klein Jeans dinner honoring Kate Moss Monday night, Lohan disclosed that she was in talks to be the face of Versace for the upcoming fall season. 'I�m going to spend time with Donatella on her boat,' Lohan said, adding however that no contract had been signed. A Versace spokesperson also said 'nothing has been decided yet.'

"If Lohan were to score the coveted fashion campaign, she would join the ranks of Halle Berry, Madonna, and Demi Moore as the youngest Versace icon ever.

"...What is concrete for Lohan this week is her plans to be photographed for an upcoming cover of Harper�s Bazaar. Jacquetta Wheeler�s photographer beau, Alexi Lubomirski, will do the honors."



(image via pochettes)

Out: The American Pie Franchise. Stop. Please. No Mas. We are full of American Pie. We are going to unbutton the top button of the trousers because we are fit to bust with that goddam pie. The franchise that gave us Shannen Elizabeth -- she of the C-List launch party -- is the gift that keeps on giving. People haveing sex with flaky deserts has lost its charm. According to Cinematical

"Dammit people! If you would just stop spending money on American Pie releases, they would stop coming. Apparently you don't understand this, because you went and dropped millions (and millions and millions) of dollars on the straight-to-DVD release, thus giving life to a franchise that, by rights, should have died long ago. So, you have only yourselves to blame for this: American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile. Yeah yeah -- it's a little late for apologies now, don't you think?

"...What's even more depressing about this is that the movie's being directed by Joe Nussbaum. You remember him -- he's the guy who Erik told you about the other day with the dream life: wrote and directed George Lucas in Love, got the attention of his idol, and just sold a script to Warner Brothers. I suppose he's got to eat but, man, does it have to be Pie?"

The full post here.