Got it. Thanks for the insight on all of this. I have not followed this since I knew Colbert was going to be put off the air. I had no interest in finding out what would follow in that timeslot. Seems pretty pathetic and as safe as Ivory soap.
I am getting really depressed about the state of editorial cartoons these days. It's sort of like too many have joined the invertebrata. Thank heavens you haven't, Clay!! Thanks for your research and helping us keep up with what really happening.
Too many people are too easily scared by nonsense death threats by dudes hiding in granny's basement. I've had a few of those. And I spent time in Iraq as a contractor, with real people doing their worst. There's a big difference.
Yep. My spouse grew up across the border from Germany in the 1930's. He's gone now, but he warned me. I am a scientist (biologist) , and looking at what is going on now I am worried. Those guys in granny;s basement can end up killing a lot of people. It may not be that big s difference.
I doubt that CBS was "losing money" on Colbert's show. I'm sure that some accountant there could prove it, but there's a lot of value that they reap from getting the "stars" of other CBS properties on Colbert's couch at the right time. The value to the various franchises is phenomenal, but not something that is easy to document or bean-count.
Remember Art Buchwald won the IP theft lawsuit over "Coming to America" and then the studio "proved" that the movie, which grossed about $300 million, made no profit whatsoever, so Buchwald got nada (well, there was an out-of-court settlement, so we don't know what Buchwald actually got).
So don't tell anyone that it was financial. As you know, the hierarchy is Lies, Damn Lies, Statistics, and Accounting.
I rely on you Clay to tell us which cartoonists to avoid and always appreciate your solid input.
What's happening over at CBS is disheartening to say the least. Big sigh. At the same time, none of it is surprising. but it sheds a clear light on the machinations at play.
I wasn't aware you ever took a day off! Please indulge once in a while! God knows you more than deserve it!
Your cartoon poses a real dilemma, with equally disappointing results. Peezy's going for the nuts, which seems like a statement in some way. Not quite the news we wanted to hear.
All too true Clay. Television is slowly dying on the vine, just as radio did. The real action is on youtube and similar venues now.
Could TV be revived? Sure, but it would take actual ACTION by an actual FCC that would actually follow their mandate to do what's best for the country, not what's best for profit. Don't hold your breath.
I find it doubtful that Allen will buy that timeslot for very long. Sure, his show is cheap to produce, relatively speaking, but it's also not going to attract much attention. And that does not attract advertisers, especially in these days when TV ad revenue rises and falls with the dates of elections. Who is going to make a big political buy on the late night nothing show?
I haven’t been able to stay awake to watch any of the late night comedians for years, but I always check out Kimmel and Colbert on YouTube in the morning. And CBS, along with FOX & paramount have been removed from my watch lists.
Colbert’s recent interview with Obama was awesome 👏
We watched the PBS documentary about W.E.B. Dubois; then I saw an article about the racist dog-whistle DHS ICE recruiting; now to read this .. no wonder this country maintains its racist voting patterns. If I’ve ever seen Byron, I’ve no idea and I can easily skip it.
The toon is great and the intricacies of “how” fascinating & impressive sounding bc I still can’t do excel. Thank you for great work.
This crappy show has been on **after** Colbert for months now. What pablum! It is totally unwatchable, not funny in the slightest. I actually feel sorry for the comedians on there. It must be humiliating.
Thank you for the bio of Byron Allen. I knew he was fabulously wealthy, and putting this garbage on CBS was not going to cost them a dime. Now I know just how fabulously wealthy Allen is, and why.
Very depressing shit happening. Colbert was a gift that was taken away. Great toon and blog.
He was the nation's nightly reality check. "No, you're not crazy. Here are some jokes about how crazy our government has become! . . ."
Got it. Thanks for the insight on all of this. I have not followed this since I knew Colbert was going to be put off the air. I had no interest in finding out what would follow in that timeslot. Seems pretty pathetic and as safe as Ivory soap.
At least Ivory soap serves a useful purpose.
I am getting really depressed about the state of editorial cartoons these days. It's sort of like too many have joined the invertebrata. Thank heavens you haven't, Clay!! Thanks for your research and helping us keep up with what really happening.
Too many people are too easily scared by nonsense death threats by dudes hiding in granny's basement. I've had a few of those. And I spent time in Iraq as a contractor, with real people doing their worst. There's a big difference.
Yep. My spouse grew up across the border from Germany in the 1930's. He's gone now, but he warned me. I am a scientist (biologist) , and looking at what is going on now I am worried. Those guys in granny;s basement can end up killing a lot of people. It may not be that big s difference.
Steve Sack is a Minnesota treasure. I'm glad at least one of his cartoons gets to shine in a sea of mediocrity.
Very informative blog, Clay. Thanks.
I doubt that CBS was "losing money" on Colbert's show. I'm sure that some accountant there could prove it, but there's a lot of value that they reap from getting the "stars" of other CBS properties on Colbert's couch at the right time. The value to the various franchises is phenomenal, but not something that is easy to document or bean-count.
Remember Art Buchwald won the IP theft lawsuit over "Coming to America" and then the studio "proved" that the movie, which grossed about $300 million, made no profit whatsoever, so Buchwald got nada (well, there was an out-of-court settlement, so we don't know what Buchwald actually got).
So don't tell anyone that it was financial. As you know, the hierarchy is Lies, Damn Lies, Statistics, and Accounting.
I rely on you Clay to tell us which cartoonists to avoid and always appreciate your solid input.
What's happening over at CBS is disheartening to say the least. Big sigh. At the same time, none of it is surprising. but it sheds a clear light on the machinations at play.
I wasn't aware you ever took a day off! Please indulge once in a while! God knows you more than deserve it!
Your cartoon poses a real dilemma, with equally disappointing results. Peezy's going for the nuts, which seems like a statement in some way. Not quite the news we wanted to hear.
All too true Clay. Television is slowly dying on the vine, just as radio did. The real action is on youtube and similar venues now.
Could TV be revived? Sure, but it would take actual ACTION by an actual FCC that would actually follow their mandate to do what's best for the country, not what's best for profit. Don't hold your breath.
I find it doubtful that Allen will buy that timeslot for very long. Sure, his show is cheap to produce, relatively speaking, but it's also not going to attract much attention. And that does not attract advertisers, especially in these days when TV ad revenue rises and falls with the dates of elections. Who is going to make a big political buy on the late night nothing show?
I haven’t been able to stay awake to watch any of the late night comedians for years, but I always check out Kimmel and Colbert on YouTube in the morning. And CBS, along with FOX & paramount have been removed from my watch lists.
Colbert’s recent interview with Obama was awesome 👏
We watched the PBS documentary about W.E.B. Dubois; then I saw an article about the racist dog-whistle DHS ICE recruiting; now to read this .. no wonder this country maintains its racist voting patterns. If I’ve ever seen Byron, I’ve no idea and I can easily skip it.
The toon is great and the intricacies of “how” fascinating & impressive sounding bc I still can’t do excel. Thank you for great work.
I would have preferred if Stephen Colbert was replaced by an AI Steve Allen.
Many thanks for the background on Allen. Have never watched him. Maybe my subconscious knew....
I tried to watch his show a couple of times - couldn't stand it. You've not missed a thing!
Well, hells bells! Now I have to cash in my CVS stocks.
Thanks for the insight, Clay.
I think it might be a typo by Clay---maybe he meant to say "CBS."
This crappy show has been on **after** Colbert for months now. What pablum! It is totally unwatchable, not funny in the slightest. I actually feel sorry for the comedians on there. It must be humiliating.
Thank you for the bio of Byron Allen. I knew he was fabulously wealthy, and putting this garbage on CBS was not going to cost them a dime. Now I know just how fabulously wealthy Allen is, and why.