Thursday, May 2, 2013

WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?  How do we feel about a Fred Rogers biopic?  (And who on earth do you get to play Mr. Rogers?)
MY BUNS HAVE NO SEEDS: They may be tearing down the Wendy's in Queens which served as McDowell's in Coming to America.
NOT TO BE USED FOR GAMBLING PURPOSES:  The Scripps National Spelling Bee folks have released the data on this year's 281 entrants. Only two five-timers: Georgia's Rachel Cundey, who fell just shy of primetime last year, and Emily Keaton, whom Shonda once described as "gorgeous long flowing red hair and looks very self-possessed. I think she might run the country someday." 

The four-timers might be better-known in these parts, including Sriram Hathwar, once the youngest speller in Bee history (and who has done a TEDx talk about it); Grace Remmer ("long hair and glasses, a weary confidence and she asks about Greek roots just because she can"); and NYC's Arvind Mahankali, who placed third place in each of the past two years. Also with some reputation? Two siblings of past national champions -- third-timer Vanya Shivashankar (the only perfect score in last year's written round), and Ashwin Veeramani. And because we always pay attention to such things, your Jamaican entrant this year is Christian J.D. Allen, whose story you can read here. Four weeks to go.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

YOUR AWARD IS BEHIND DOOR NUMBER 1, 2, OR 3? With the networks down to 4 Soap Operas and the show relegated to HLN this year, the Daytime Emmys are of questionable relevance, but a few notes from the nominations list:
  • Ann Curry is nominated as part of the anchor team for Today for Best Morning Program, which also gives us Emmy nominees Mo Rocca and Serena Altschul as part of the CBS Sunday Morning team.
  • While not nominated for Best Game Show, Funny or Die Presents Billy On The Street is nominated for Best Game Show Host (over Viera and Carey).
  • David Tennant gets a first Emmy nomination for his voice work on Clone Wars (I believe he was ineligible for Doctor Who, since it's a BBC production without US involvement, while coproductions like Downton Abbey and Sherlock are eligible).
  • Ziggy Marley (multiple Grammy winner) is up for an original song Emmy, as is Sheryl Crow.
  • Game show legends Monty Hall and Bob Stewart get lifetime achievement awards.