CBS's primetime schedule is the epitome of stability: no other broadcast network has more scripted hits. Its Monday night comedy block has held its ground for more than a decade. Its most popular procedural, "NCIS" is enjoying its highest ratings in its eight-year history. The network's 2010-2011 freshman class is holding steady.
On the other hand, CBS also employs Charlie Sheen.
As such, when CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler appeared before reporters at the Television Critics Association's Winter Press Tour on Friday morning, the "Two and a Half Men" actor's recent booze-fueled misadventures topped the question and answer portion of the executive session.
Tassler dryly opened with, "I really didn't expect to get that question this morning, so I am just taken by surprise." Once the laughter died down, Tassler continued, "We have a high level of concern. How could we not? .... This man is a father, he's got children, he has a family, so obviously there's concern on a personal level."
In the latest tale reported by TMZ and others, Sheen was seen partying with an assortment pulchritudinous ladies (allegedly including Michelle "Bombshell" McGee) in his suite at the Palms hotel over the weekend, accompanied by a great deal of liquor. This would not be a problem, we suppose, except for additional reports that Sheen missed his call time on his show's set on Wednesday allegedly because he was suffering from an ear infection.
Tassler told us that we cannot look at the situation simplistically. "Charlie is a professional. He comes to work and does his job extremely well," she said, reminding us that the show is a hit.
The greater concern (one would think) is the impending arrival of "American Idol" on Thursday nights, where it will be in direct competition with the Eye's hit comedy "The Big Bang Theory." Tassler, of course, did not express any trepidation about "Big Bang's" ability to hold its audience against the mighty gravitational pull of broadcast television's Death Star -- "'Idol' is 'Idol'," she said. "There are enough eyeballs to go around. We think we'll do OK."
Then again, there's a reason Tassler has been at the helm of CBS's entertainment division since September 2004. Successful broadcast network executives can be counted on to never show fear or admit failure. "Big Bang's" audience is large and loyal, and the network has every reason to believe it'll even out with relatively healthy ratings once the "Idol" season settles in.
The fate of its timeslot partner "$#*! My Dad Says," like all of the other bubble shows on CBS, is a different matter. "Everything's up for grabs in May," says Tassler.
CBS has other success stories, of course; Tassler informed reporters that she's confident "NCIS" star Mark Harmon will renew his contract. Tassler also revealed that the network has six yet-to-be aired episodes of "Flashpoint" in the can, which could appear this summer.
On the other hand, CBS also employs Charlie Sheen.
As such, when CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler appeared before reporters at the Television Critics Association's Winter Press Tour on Friday morning, the "Two and a Half Men" actor's recent booze-fueled misadventures topped the question and answer portion of the executive session.
Tassler dryly opened with, "I really didn't expect to get that question this morning, so I am just taken by surprise." Once the laughter died down, Tassler continued, "We have a high level of concern. How could we not? .... This man is a father, he's got children, he has a family, so obviously there's concern on a personal level."
In the latest tale reported by TMZ and others, Sheen was seen partying with an assortment pulchritudinous ladies (allegedly including Michelle "Bombshell" McGee) in his suite at the Palms hotel over the weekend, accompanied by a great deal of liquor. This would not be a problem, we suppose, except for additional reports that Sheen missed his call time on his show's set on Wednesday allegedly because he was suffering from an ear infection.
Tassler told us that we cannot look at the situation simplistically. "Charlie is a professional. He comes to work and does his job extremely well," she said, reminding us that the show is a hit.
The greater concern (one would think) is the impending arrival of "American Idol" on Thursday nights, where it will be in direct competition with the Eye's hit comedy "The Big Bang Theory." Tassler, of course, did not express any trepidation about "Big Bang's" ability to hold its audience against the mighty gravitational pull of broadcast television's Death Star -- "'Idol' is 'Idol'," she said. "There are enough eyeballs to go around. We think we'll do OK."
Then again, there's a reason Tassler has been at the helm of CBS's entertainment division since September 2004. Successful broadcast network executives can be counted on to never show fear or admit failure. "Big Bang's" audience is large and loyal, and the network has every reason to believe it'll even out with relatively healthy ratings once the "Idol" season settles in.
The fate of its timeslot partner "$#*! My Dad Says," like all of the other bubble shows on CBS, is a different matter. "Everything's up for grabs in May," says Tassler.
CBS has other success stories, of course; Tassler informed reporters that she's confident "NCIS" star Mark Harmon will renew his contract. Tassler also revealed that the network has six yet-to-be aired episodes of "Flashpoint" in the can, which could appear this summer.
- 1/14/2011
- by Melanie McFarland
- IMDb News
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