NBC news stories on Newser

Fox Refuses Ads for Service to, Well, Kill Ads

Kevin Spak — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:26:02 CDT

How awesome would it be if your DVR automatically skipped commercials on shows recorded off the major networks? Probably not very awesome if you were one of those same networks, which is why they're outraged over the Dish Network's upcoming "Hopper," which, Dish announced last week, would be able to...

Troubled NBC Looks for Ratings Amid Laughs

Matt Cantor — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:55:27 CDT

NBC is looking to comedy to help it climb the ratings ladder: Nearly 25% of the network's fare next season will consist of sitcoms, up from just 14% last fall. Execs are aiming to recapture the highly-educated young adults that helped propel Seinfeld and Friends , the Los Angeles Times reports....

Tina Fey: End of 30 Rock 'on the Horizon'

Evann Gastaldo — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:36:31 CDT

The good news: Despite the fact that Alec Baldwin went on a Twitter tirade threatening to leave NBC, he is not bowing out of 30 Rock early, Tina Fey assured the ladies of The View today. The bad news? The show, currently in its sixth season, may not be around...

NBC Fires Producer Who Edited Zimmerman Audio

Mark Russell — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 06:16:02 CDT

NBC News has fired the producer who edited the George Zimmerman 911 call that aired in the aftermath of the Trayvon Martin shooting, reports the New York Times . The producer has not been named, but reportedly was based in Miami and had worked for NBC for several years. Sources say...

Courteney, Not Jen, Was Supposed to Play Rachel

Evann Gastaldo — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:52:04 CDT

Can you picture anyone other than Matthew Perry playing the sarcastic-yet-lovable Chandler on Friends ? Neither could creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, but Perry—who was committed to another pilot at the time—almost wasn't cast in the role. "We brought everybody in. We were so sure that Chandler...

NBC Apologizes for Editing of Zimmerman Call

John Johnson — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:03:30 CDT

NBC has issued a mea culpa for how it edited a phone call between George Zimmerman and a police dispatcher before the killing of Trayvon Martin, reports the Washington Post . In the bit that aired, Zimmerman says this: "This guy looks like he’s up to no good. He looks black....

Chevy Chase Rips Boss in Angry Phone Message

Neal Colgrass — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:36:33 CDT

Welcome to the club, Chevy. Community star Chevy Chase has joined Christian Bale and Alec Baldwin in the legion of celebrities whose recorded freak-outs have gone viral, Deadline reports . "I don’t get talked to like that by anyone," Chase said in a phone message to his Community boss, producer/showrunner Dan...

Michelle Obama to Appear on Biggest Loser

Dustin Lushing — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:30:05 CDT

The first lady is coming to prime time. Michelle Obama will appear on NBC's The Biggest Loser the next two Tuesdays, reports the Washington Post . In the first episode, Obama will appear via video on the weight-loss show, inviting Loser contestants to the White House. In the second, she meets...

Smash Opens to Rave Reviews

Kevin Spak — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:10:05 CST

If you watched the Super Bowl, you just might have heard of Smash , NBC's new drama about the making of a Broadway musical. It premiered last night, and critics are (mostly) giving it a standing ovation: The buzz has gotten so intense that the conversation isn't even about whether it'll...