Jeff Goldblum lives; Billy Mays tribute

Today's POPi blog links to two TV-related news items:

-- Pittsburgh native Jeff Goldblum ("Law & Order: Criminal Intent") went on "The Colbert Report" to discuss his supposed death, as reported in the New Zealand press last week.

-- G4's "Attack of the Show," which previously spoofed Pittsburgh native Billy Mays, now pays tribute to the late pitchman.

CMU prof. on 'NOVA' tonight

Normal 0 PBS's "NOVA Science Now," hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, returns tonight at 8 on WQED with multiple stories, including a profile of Carnegie Mellon University computer science professor Luis  von Ahn, the 30-year-old mind behind those words you type in when registering on Web sites so the computer can verify you're a human and not a computer spambot.

Von Ahn has been profiled plenty of times before, including in the Post-Gazette, but "NOVA Science Now" does a nice job of getting behind the creation to show us what makes the creator tick. He's a fan of TV ("Dexter," "Heroes," "Fringe" and "Weeds") and video games, but he also likes to pace and come up with ideas, "the vast majority are completely idiotic," but at least he's thinking, something too many of us have precious little time to do anymore.

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Sharon Eberson has welcome news in the POPi blog for "Star Wars" fans who have been awaiting word on George Lucas' upcoming live-action "Star Wars" TV series.

Using social media to pimp a pilot

The pilot episode of an unsold series called "Rex" is making the rounds on Facebook, including a trailer and a link to the full pilot. (Password for full pilot is whippedbutter and should be typed in the box to the left of "submit.")

Rex is a pilot for a proposed series starring Simon Rex (MTV, "Jack & Jill") as a fictional version of himself. It was written by a writer from Lifetime's "Lovespring International" and features Paris Hilton and Jaime Pressly as versions of themselves.

In "Rex,"  Rex plays a washed up star trying to get back on track. His father (Victor Garber) still frets over the video Rex made up himself masturbating (this really happened). Rex decides he needs a new controversy to get back in the public eye so he re-hires his original "controversy consultant" (this is fiction) to garner attention.

The plan: Dinner with Lance Bass, who is gay. Rex, who is straight, hits on Bass, claiming, "I just became gay yesterday." It's pretty hilarious, actually, far more entertaining than anything Rex has made in the past.

Of local note, "Rex" also features a scene of an agent talking about former Carnegie Mellon University student Aron Ralston, identified as a "celebrity mountain climber," who cut off his own arm to survive.

"He never fell down the mountain," the agent claims. "He went up the mountain and cut off his own arm to get the controversy going, to get on Letterman, to get the endorsement deals."

Whether or not the online attention gets "Rex" picked up by any networks, we'll see. But it's a pretty entertaining half-hour for fans of pop culture and celebrity entertainment.

More on 'Virtuality'

Fox's "Virtuality," from the writers of "Battlestar Galactica," airs tonight at 8 as a one-time movie, although what viewers will see is actually a pilot for a proposed TV series that now seems unlikely to be produced. But it has enough interesting ideas - and executive producer Ron Moore has enough of a following - that it deserves more attention than the average failed pilot.

On virtual reality: In "Virtuality," astronauts embark on a journey to find an inhabitable planet and along the way they pass the time in VR environments. To connote VR, Moore said scenes set in VR were shot on green screen for later insertion of computer-generated backgrounds.

"We kept that [visual] language for all the virtual pieces to sort of give all of the virtual reality a sense of continuity so that you always intuitively felt that you were in a virtual world," Moore said.

Some viewers may compare it to the holodeck on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," but the "Virtuality" astronauts enter the space only in their minds while wearing VR goggles. Also, if they die in the VR world, they don't die in the real world; it's more like playing a contemporary video game.

It's a similar conceit to the VR world in Moore's upcoming "Battlestar" prequel, "Caprica," whose pilot episode is already out on DVD.

"In ‘Caprica' it's really much more akin to the Internet where you go out and the virtual spaces are practically infinite and they intersect with one another," Moore said. "In ‘Virtuality,' we're looking at something much more discrete, much more of a gaming type of environment where an astronaut has a specific virtual reality module that they go into and play whatever game or whatever experience they want but there is no expectation that you can cross for one module to another."

On the reality show component: In addition to a scientific mission, the Phaeton crew in "Virtuality" is also filmed for a reality show that's airing on Earth (on Fox, of course).

"There was a conscious attempt on the part of the people who put the crew together to sort of have an interesting mix of people," Moore said. "There are debates within the crew themselves about who was chosen for just sort of their demographic content and who was legitimately supposed to be there."

On the show's tone: "There's more humor probably in the first 10 minutes of ‘Virtuality' than there was in the run of ‘Battlestar,' let's put it that way," Moore said.

On the show's development: Moore said studio executives initially pitched him on the idea of a show about a long-range space mission to Mars.

"I was interested in the idea of what do you do with 12 people in a metal tube for that long," he said.

Executives had a meeting with writer Michael Taylor and the same topic came up. Eventually, Taylor and Moore began collaborating

The idea of something to keep astronauts from going crazy during a long space trip emerged, hence the VR. After that, the reality show concept grew out of the idea of the crew beaming reports back to Earth, which created new possibilities for drama.

"Were the needs of the reality show starting to impact what was happening on the spacecraft? Were people being manipulated in order to make better drama for the reality show?" Moore said.

On "Edge of Never" webisodes: Segments from the reality show seen on Earth turn up in the "Virtuality" pilot tonight but more have been posted as Webisodes at the Edge of Never Facebook site.

On the future of the "Virtuality" property: Moore acknowledged even if the TV show doesn't go forward, there's also been talk of books or graphic novels continuing the story.

"I think all of those are possibilities," he said. "It's just kind of one step at a time."

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I know I promised part two of my interview with "Three Rivers" executive producer Carol Barbee this week but it got squeezed out. Look for it next week.

TV networks scrambling: Jackson, Fawcett die on same day

A couple of notes on TV coverage of the death of Michael Jackson:

TMZ.com reported Jackson's passing at 6:04 p.m. (at least that's when I got the e-mail alert). Other outlets were still reporting he suffered a cardiac arrest. The L.A. Times death notice arrived at 6:26 p.m., just as I turned on the TV and Fox News was saying "cardiac arrest," although within a few minutes Fox was quoting the L.A. Times that Jackson had died. I'm not a fan of TMZ, but they got this one right. Not that it matters in the long run as far as Jackson fans are concerned but it is interesting to see how journalism evolves, particularly in the Internet age, and how the scoops migrate from one platform to another. (Eric Deggans notes how getting the scoop first can burnish a news brand.)

Wow, CNN is really late. Their confirmation of his death e-mail didn't hit my in box until 7:33 p.m.

MTV breaks into programming for news of Jackson's death, airing a cameo-filled Jackson video at 7 p.m. and a crawl with the news.

ETOnline promotes its "exclusive" last photo of Jackson prior to his death. Really, ET? Really?

Glad to see "CBS Evening News" report didn't gloss over the accusations of child molestation against Jackson. He was never convicted but so much of the cable news coverage has been starry-eyed fans wallowing in their grief (many congregating at a Walk of Fame star for a different Michael Jackson. Oops.). A little perspective is necessary.

Found link to live stream of coverage from CBS O&O in Los Angeles. (But, eww, is live coverage of Jackson's body being moved via helicopter really necessary? And we think out local affiliates are nuts...) Anchor Pat Harvey: "He's the kind of person who might have had plans for his afterlife already planned out." Wow, if Jackson is able to see those plans through, that would be something to top the Moonwalk.

And as Sharon Eberson notes in the POPi blog, contrary to some reports, Jeff Goldblum lives.

Jackson's death complicates the plans of networks that already had slated special programming tonight to mark the passing of Farrah Fawcett.

-- NBC just expanded a one-hour Fawcett retrospective to a two-hour special, starting at 9 p.m., that will commemorate both entertainers.

-- ABC will have a Jackson special at 9 p.m. before its Fawcett program.

-- CBS will air a Jackson retrospective tonight at 10.

-- TV One will air tribute at 8 p.m. Friday.

-- BIO will air a program on Jackson at 10 p.m. Saturday.

Here's a wonderful remembrance of Jackson. A great read.

New podcast: 'Jon & Kate,' 'True Blood,' 'Virtuality'

In this week's Tuned In podcast, deputy magazine editor L.A. Johnson and I discuss TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8," the HBO series "True Blood" and the upcoming Fox TV movie "Virtuality."

Listen or subscribe at post-gazette.com/podcast.

Nielsen declares teens "more normal than you think"

This isn't that much of a surprise: A new Nielsen report finds teens consume media pretty much in line with the rest of the population. And most important for television networks, they're not watching less TV.

"Sure, it might sound hip and trendy to suggest they're too busy texting, Twittering or LOL-ing to be engaged with traditional media, but ultimately, the research proves otherwise," Nielsen writes.

You can read the full report but these are some of Nielsen's key findings:

Will he survive a 'Japanese Game Show'?

Due to last week's storm coverage, local viewers missed last week's premiere of ABC's "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" (9 p.m. Wednesday) and with it the introduction of Justin Brown, a student of California University of Pennsylvania.

I watched the show somewhat last summer, but after you see a few crazy "Double Dare"-like competitions, it loses some of its entertainment value.

Brown, identified on screen as a 22-year-old from Brownsville, competed in a game tonight where he was pelted by tennis balls

"I was never so motivated to teach someone a lesson in my life," Brown said after the tennis ball beating and before donning a skin-clinging, pink leotard (with green tutu) for a competition where players had to dig through flour to find clothing to dress a mannequin with.

But it was all for naught. His Red Robot team lost ot the Green Tigers. Again.

Brown was particularly perturbed that the winning team got to eat hot dogs.

Better luck next week.

CBS announces premiere dates

CBS announced its fall premiere dates today. Of note to local viewers, Pittsburgh-set "Three Rivers" debuts Oct. 4. Here's the release:

CBS today announced dates for the fall premieres of its new and returning series, which include a pre-season debut for SURVIVOR: SAMOA and the launch of the new Sunday drama series THREE RIVERS in early October.  The Network will introduce the majority of its schedule beginning Monday, Sept. 21, the official start of the 2009-2010 season.

            SURVIVOR: SAMOA, the 19th installment of the hit reality series, will debut a week prior to the formal start of the season, on Thursday, Sept. 17 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).

            CBS's new season rollout officially begins on Monday, Sept. 21 with HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT), the premiere of the new comedy ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT), the seventh season premiere of television's Number One comedy TWO AND A HALF MEN (9:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT), the third season premiere of THE BIG BANG THEORY in its new time period (9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT) and the eighth season premiere of CSI: MIAMI (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

NCIS begins its seventh season on Tuesday, Sept. 22 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), followed by the new NCIS: LOS ANGELES spin-off (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) and the freshman drama THE GOOD WIFE (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

CBS returns its Wednesday comedy block on Sept. 23 with the fifth season of THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT) and sophomore comedy GARY UNMARRIED (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT), followed by the fifth season premiere of CRIMINAL MINDS (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) and the sixth season premiere of CSI: NY (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION returns for its 10th season on Thursday, Sept. 24 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) followed by the time period premiere of last season's No. 1 new hit THE MENTALIST (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

            The Network's top-rated Friday lineup returns on Sept. 25 with the fifth season premiere of GHOST WHISPERER (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), the Network debut of the popular drama MEDIUM (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), followed by the sixth season premiere of NUMB3RS (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT). 

            CBS's Saturday schedule premieres Sept. 26 with the return of 48 HOURS MYSTERY (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT), preceded by two hours of CRIMETIME SATURDAY (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT).

60 MINUTES, television's highest rated news magazine, returns for its 42nd season on Sunday, Sept. 26 (7:00-8:00 PM, ET/PT), followed by a special two-hour debut of the 15th edition of the multi-Emmy Award-winning THE AMAZING RACE (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) and the seventh season premiere of COLD CASE in its new time period (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

Premiering a week later on Sunday, Oct. 4 is the new drama THREE RIVERS (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT).

CBS's 2009-2010 Premiere Dates

Thursday, Sept. 17

8:00-9:00 PM              SURVIVOR: SAMOA (19th Installment Premiere)

Monday, Sept. 21

8:00-8:30 PM              HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (5th Season Premiere, OAD 9/19/05)

8:30-9:00 PM              ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE (Series Debut)

9:00-9:30 PM              TWO AND A HALF MEN (7th Season Premiere, OAD 9/22/03)

9:30-10:00 PM            THE BIG BANG THEORY (3rd Season Premiere, OAD 9/24/07) 

10:00-11:00 PM          CSI: MIAMI (8th Season Premiere, OAD 9/23/02)

Tuesday, Sept. 22

8:00-9:00 PM              NCIS (7th Season Premiere, OAD 9/12/03)

9:00-10:00 PM            NCIS: LOS ANGELES (Series Debut)

10:00-11:00 PM          THE GOOD WIFE (Series Debut)

Wednesday, Sept. 23

8:00-8:30 PM              THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE

(5th Season Premiere, OAD 3/13/06)

8:30-9:00 PM              GARY UNMARRIED (2nd Season Premiere, OAD 9/14/08)

9:00-10:00 PM            CRIMINAL MINDS (5th Season Premiere, OAD 9/22/05)

10:00-11:00 PM          CSI: NY (6th Season Premiere, OAD 9/22/04)

Thursday, Sept. 24

9:00-10:00 PM            CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (10th Season Premiere, OAD 10/6/00)

10:00-11:00 PM          THE MENTALIST (2nd Season Premiere, OAD 9/23/08)

Friday, Sept. 25

8:00-9:00 PM              GHOST WHISPERER (5th Season Premiere, OAD 9/23/05)

9:00-10:00 PM            MEDIUM (Network Debut, OAD 1/23/05)

10:00-11:00 PM          NUMB3RS (6th Season Premiere, OAD 1/21/05)

Saturday, Sept. 26

8:00-9:00 PM              CRIMETIME SATURDAY

9:00-10:00 PM            CRIMETIME SATURDAY

10:00-11:00 PM          48 HOURS MYSTERY (Season Premiere)

Sunday, Sept. 27

7:00-8:00 PM              60 MINUTES (42nd Season Premiere)

8:00-10:00 PM            THE AMAZING RACE (15th Edition Premiere)

10:00-11:00 PM          COLD CASE (7th Season Premiere, OAD 9/23/03)

 
Sunday, Oct. 4

9:00-10:00 PM            THREE RIVERS (Series Debut)

Debauchery returns to 'The Real World'

MTV's most recent edition of "The Real World," set in New York, was one of the more introspective, culturally aware editions in years. There were still some drunken nights but it was largely a more sober cast that was more interested in playing pranks on one another than causing any real trouble or debasing themselves on camera. The season also paid more attention to social issues, from a transgender character to a soldier recalled by the U.S. Army.

Some may have found this season boring, but I thought it was one of the best editions in ages. Too bad MTV is going back to the Las Vegas tone for "Real World: Cancun" (10 tonight).

This time the gang lives in a luxury hotel on a Mexican beach, so you know wild things will happen, even though their collective job -- something the last cast didn't have -- is to interact with spring breakers.

Characters include Bronne ("Like the paper towel," he says), who mentions he was once a nude model in the Penn State art department; tatttooed ladies' man Joey and sweet but dim C.J. who just doesn't understand when his girlfriend back home gets upset that he cuddled the night away with a roomie who has a crush on him.

Jonna and Derek (the gay roommate) actually worked together before the show, which may be the first time any "Real Worlders" were not strangers at the start of the show. Ayiiia was voted onto the cast by Web surfers at MTV.com.

In tonight's episode, someone writes a white board: "I love my roomies ... so far." You know that's not gonna last.