SueTube – Let’s talk TV with critic Susan Young

Just when you think “The Simpsons” might be running out of ideas for their opening, along comes a first: Real, live Simpsons.

For the first time ever, the opening sequence of “The Simpsons” at 8 p.m. Sunday on Fox-Channel 2 will have real people playing the animated characters.

From the Simpsons parting through the clouds to the infamous Bart writing on the chalkboard, Homer pulling the nuclear rod out of his shirt, Maggie scanned at the supermarket and the always-anticipated “couch gag” conclusion, the live-action opening mirrors each element of the animated sequence.

Said “The Simpsons” executive producer Al Jean, “I’m just amazed there are people who want to be known for looking like the Simpsons.”

Bowing to pressure from recent Federal Communication Commission fines for indecency, the WB has chosen to delete some scenes from the new series “Bedford Diaries,” about randy college students taking a class in sexuality.
But in a truly subversive move, the network will show the uncensored version where the FCC has yet to tread: on the Internet. The WB issued a statement on Thursday:

“The WB takes its responsibility as a broadcast network very seriously and we have always been mindful of the FCC’s indecency rules. While we believe that the previous uncut version of “The Bedford Diaries” is in keeping with those rules, out of an abundance of caution, we decided to make some additional minor changes to the premiere episode of the series which is set to debut next Wednesday, March 28th.
“We also decided to make the original version available on the Internet at TheWB.com which allows those interested in seeing the producer’s creative vision to do so while at the same time recognizing the special rules that apply to the broadcast medium.”

Let the streaming steamy video begin.

The Bay Area lost its only “American Idol” rep on Thursday when it was revealed that Jose “Sway” Penala was voted off the show.

The judges on Wednesday did a thumbs down on his performance. The viewers obviously agreed

More than 42 million votes cast after Tuesday and Wednesday

The Bay Area lost its only “American Idol” rep on Thursday when it was revealed that Jose “Sway” Penala was voted off the show.

The judges on Wednesday did a thumbs down on his performance. The viewers obviously agreed

More than 42 million votes cast after Tuesday and Wednesday

At a time when ABC news is dealing with the Iraqi attack that left anchor Bob Woodruff and cameraman Doug Vogt critically injured, there’s finally some good news.

“World News Tonight” co-anchor Elizabeth Vargas and her husband, singer-songwriter Marc Cohn, are expecting their second child in late summer.

Vargas and Cohn have a son Zachary, 3, and Cohn has two children from a previous marriage Max, 14, and Emily 11.

“This is joyous news for Marc and our family,” Vargas said. “At the same time, our immediate concern remains with Bob [Woodruff], [wife] Lee, and the entire Woodruff family as we hope and pray for continuing good news about his recovery.”

“I told Elizabeth that during such a difficult time for all of us, it’s good to get such wonderful, life-affirming news,” said ABC News President David Weston.

Vargas, who also co-anchors the ABC newsmagazine “20/20,” will continue to anchor both broadcasts through late summer.

Vargas, 43, and Woodruff, 44, debuted as co-anchors of ABC News’ evening newscast in January 2006. Woodruff is currently being treated at Bethesda Medical Center for injuries he sustained during an IED attack in Iraq on Jan. 29.

Diane Sawyer and Charles Gibson will continue to fill in for Woodruff until the end of February as he recovers. When the timetable for Woodruff’s recovery becomes clearer in the coming weeks, ABC News will announce further interim plans for substitution on the broadcast.

ABC News President David Westin sent the following update on Bob Woodruff and Doug Vogt to his ABC News colleagues Wednesday, Feb. 8:

“Both Bob and Doug continue to make progress on their different roads to recovery. Yesterday Doug moved into an outpatient facility at Bethesda Medical Center where he will stay in the coming weeks. He is still under the treatment of the doctors there, but this is a positive step on his road to recovery.
Bob is also making progress. The doctors are keeping him sedated for now to help with the healing of his various injuries. They do adjust the levels of his sedation from time to time, and they have been pleased with how he responds even with somewhat lowered sedation.
This remains a long process, but I will continue to let you know when there are important developments.”

UPN gets this wedding started when a San Francisco man surprises his girlfriend with what UPN is calling the ultimate marriage proposal, wedding and reception.

We’ll be the judge of that.

It all happens on the reality series “Get This Party Started” at 9 p.m. on Feb. 21 on UPN-Channel 44.

Kristin Cavallari (“Laguna Beach”) and Ethan Erickson (“Extra”) host the show which features aspiring musical artist Anthony, who wanted to express his love for his girlfriend Shannon in a big and unique way by proposing and throwing her the surprise wedding of her dreams.

As part of the ruse, Shannon thinks she is rehearsing to be part of a music video for her boyfriend Anthony, while the elite party team converts an empty loft into an elegant and chic setting for the wedding.

But won’t Shannon wonder why mom and dad are in a music video?

“Rock Star: The Series” – just a working title, so don’t get too attached – returns this summer to CBS.

But first, they need to round up some rockers. So get in line.

Auditions will be taking place in early March. Applications for potential singers can be found at CBS.com and http://rockstar.msn.com. Auditions are open to men and women all over the world who are at least 21 years-old.

Open calls will take place in the following cities. Cities are subject to change, with venues announced at a later date.

March 1, 2006

Bob Woodruff’s brother David Woodruff discussed Bob’s condition on “Good Morning America” today.

David has been by Bob’s side since the ABC anchor was brought to the military hospital in Germany. Bob is now on his way home to the United States.

“We got a lot of great news this morning,” David Woodruff said. ” He’s improved markedly over the night. He looks much better than he looked the day before. (The doctors said this morning) his signs are great, probably as good as can be expected at this stage.”

Woodruff is still heavily sedated and at this point it is too early to tell what his prognosis might be. He suffered broken ribs, a broken shoulder and skull fracture. He also had some facial wounds on one side of his face.

“The doctors said at the beginning of this, this is not going to be a sprint. This is going to be a marathon,” David Woodruff said. “And we’re committed to making sure we’re there running that marathon with him.”

David Woodruff also cleared up some confusion about what happened after his brother had been hit.

“Bob had come down through the hatch. (Producer) Vinny (Malhotra) picked him up by his lapels. (Bob) opened up his eyes and said, ‘Am I alive?’ And at that point he started to feel the pain. He used some colorful language and said ‘This hurts a lot’ and then he became unconscious.”

The family has been reading the postings on the ABC Web site.

(Bob’s wife) Lee wanted me to tell everyone how much she appreciates the support from everybody, from the team at ABC, from all her friends, family and all the people out there who are praying for Bob and (camaraman) Doug (Vogt),” David said. “I know Doug’s wife would say the same thing.”

Jason Lee, star of “My Name is Earl” couldn’t make the press session for his show because he had the chicken pox.

The chicken pox?

Yep, it seems Lee never had chicken pox. Although we’re a bit confused on the timing. On Sunday Jan. 15, there was a segment on “Desperate Housewives” about a parent trying to avoid the chicken pox.
On that Monday, Jason Lee was at the Golden Globes _ where the cast of “Desperate Housewives were also in attendence _ and on Tuesday, he says he was covered in bumps that turned out to be chicken pox.
Coincidence? Maybe.
All we know is that it won’t throw the series off schedule.

“No, no, no. He’ll be in all the
episodes,” creator Gregg Garcia assured the critics at the winter press tour. “We’re just shut down until he is feeling better and is presentable to put on TV again. “