Too Much TV: Your TV Talking Points For Monday, February 19th, 2024

The case of the missing disgraced TV chef

Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Monday, February 19th, 2024.

THE CASE OF A MISSING DISGRACED CHEF
Season five of the Food Network series Tournament Of Champions premiered on Sunday and I was interested to see how the show handled the appearances on the show by Darnell Ferguson. The self-described "Superchef" was arrested in January and pled not guilty to strangling and threatening the mother of three of his children. His Superchef Grudge Match series was immediately pulled off of The Food Network, as well as off of streaming on Max and Discovery+.

But Ferguson had also appeared in the new season of Tournament Of Champions and I was curious to see how that was handled by the Food Network. Obviously it would be a nightmare scenario for the network if Ferguson had progressed through several rounds before losing, since replacing him would then involve a series of done-over matches and extensive re-edits.

It's still not clear how far he originally progressed in the season's competition, but he did make a very brief appearance on the leaderboard last night (see above), which showed him seeded in the East B Division's #5 spot, competing against Chef Amanda Freitag. If Ferguson lost in round one, it would be easy to just pretend that round never existed and move on. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

WITH MEMBERS LIKE THIS, THE TCA DOESN'T NEED ENEMIES
I promised I wasn't going to write anymore about the TCAs for awhile, but I had to point out this wonderfully passive-aggressive shot at the TCAs by one of its higher-profile members.

The Hollywood Reporter's West Coast Television Editor wrote a wrap-up of the just concluded TCAs and this was this opening passage:

Does the Television Critics Association’s semi-annual press tour still hold value?

That topic was a frequent debate at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena, California, where the TCA winter press tour wrapped Thursday after two weeks and a dizzying number of panels featuring stars, producers and the occasional executive.

The opening made me laugh out loud, for two very different reasons. This is the same reporter who covered Netflix's "TCA-like" presentation to a selected group of reporters which took place a week before the start of the TCAs. And in the story described the event as including a "who's who of media reporters." So I can't help thinking there is some unresolved tension going on here.

But it was especially funny to me because about fifteen years ago I wrote a piece called "Does The TCA Still Matter?" and that piece garnered a LOT of negative pushback from members of the organization. Including one board member, who told me I'd never be a member as long as they were around. Now they're not and I am. Even though, to be honest, it wasn't an entirely negative story. In fact, some of the things I highlighted - like some of the incredibly sexist social media posts coming out of the TCA coverage - were quickly dealt with.

But seeing a similar take coming now from one of the top editors at The Hollywood Reporter was pretty amusing to me. And a reminder that in 2024, the real tension in the Hollywood press tour is not from "professionals vs non-professionals." It's large outlets vs. everyone else.

INTRODUCING THE 'SUPER APP'
In many parts of the Middle East and Africa (as well as parts of Asia), the mobile audience for streaming video is a large part of the potential market. And while the global streamers have made some efforts to address that reality, features such as integrated mobile games and reduced cost mobile-only subscriber rates have felt more like piecemeal efforts than a real integrated solution. But that is slowly changing.

Yango Play just launched in MENA (Middle East, North Africa) and I bring it up here because it's an attempt to integrate different media experiences into one "super app."

The subscription-based service offers a mix of movies and TV shows from both Hollywood as well as local networks (primarily thanks to a content deal with StarzPlay) and there are multiple music streams and curated music lists available as part of the subscription.

Yango Play also includes integrated mobile games and a feature known as Yango City, which essentially gamifies the app experience:

"The City reflects your activity in the service and subscription. When you listen to music, watch movies, and play mini games, you are completing quests. Each quest gives you in-game rewards and opens unique decorations (houses, cars, and characters) to build your very own virtual City. This way Yango City reflects your activity in Yango Play."

I haven't had the opportunity to try Yango Play out, since it's not available here in the U.S. But I've written in the past about how I expect to see some streaming services attempting to integrate socialized activities into their apps. This is certainly a novel approach and I'm interested to see if it succeeds.

ODDS AND SODS
* In an interview with Cartoon Brew, French producer Xilam says 2024 is a “year of transition” as U.S. streamers reduce investment in kids’ programming. 

THE DONALD TRUMP/VINCE McMAHON CONNECTIONS
In celebration of President's Day, Jonathan M. Katz has written a piece recounting the long and complicated history between Donald Trump and disgraced WWE head Vince McMahon. It is quite a story:

Trump meanwhile hasn’t so much as been asked about his friendship with McMahon in light of the allegations, or the fact that a building managed by the fraud-ridden and likely soon-to-be-dissolved Trump Organization plays such a central role in an alleged sex abuse and trafficking case. Such questions, Marchman notes, could include whether Trump ever met Grant, what he may have known about his resident manager’s matchmaking services, or “whether, in the course of his business dealings with McMahon, he was ever offered the sexual services of a woman.”

TWEET OF THE DAY

NEW ON ALLYOURSCREENS
* 10 Global TV Stories You Should Know: 02/19/2024

* This Week On True Crime TV

* Disney+ Announces Updated Slate Of South Korean Originals

* Argentinian Producers Look At Streamers Levy To Help With Funding Crisis

WHAT'S NEW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH, 2024:
* A Taste Of Love (Hallmark)
* Becoming King (Paramount+)
* Einstein And The Bomb (Netflix)
* Giannis: The Marvelous Journey (Prime Video)
* Independent Lens: Breaking The News (PBS)
* James Brown: Say It Loud (A&E)
* Operation Arctic Cure (NatGeo)
* Rhythm + Flow Italy Series Premiere (Netflix)
* The Madame Blanc Mysteries (Acorn TV)
* The Really Loud House (Nickelodeon)
* TMZ Investigates: Kevin Costner's Divorce Wars (Fox)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH:
* American Experience: Fly With Me (PBS)
* Crime Nation Series Premiere (The CW)
* Little People, Big World Season Premiere (TLC)
* Mike Epps: Ready To Sell Out (Netflix)
* Quantum Leap Season Two Finale (NBC)
* Renovation Aloha Series Premiere (HGTV)
* Risqué Business: Netherlands & Germany Series Premiere (Netflix)
* The Good Doctor Season Premiere (ABC)
* The Rookie Season Premiere (ABC)
* Will Trent Season Premiere (ABC)

SEE YOU ON TUESDAY!