From Deseret News archives:
'Todd TV' without the Todd
The cable network planned a session at the current Television Critics Association press tour to promote its upcoming reality series "Todd TV." It's an "EdTV"-like format in which a "regular guy" by the name of Todd Santos agrees to let viewers make all his decisions for him.
Appearing before critics to take questions were the show's producers, its host, FX network executives but no Todd. It was sort of like having a presidential news conference without the president.
Which was more than a bit annoying. But not quite as annoying as the explanations for his absence.
FX president Peter Ligouri insisted Todd is just a "regular guy"; that they're trying to keep him "calm"; that letting him answer questions would "add to his frenzy"; and that "we're not positive Todd can really handle this type of situation."
Um, excuse me? You're about to put him on national television, and you're afraid his mental state is too fragile to handle a few questions from critics?
David Goldberg, the president of Endemol, which is producing the show, said they want to keep Todd "insulated" until the show premieres so he's not "corrupted."
Um, excuse me? FX has been hyping this show to the hilt, running commercials that feature Todd at seemingly every break. Unless he's been locked in a cellar someplace, he's already been corrupted by the exposure.
And, um, excuse me, but FX has been offering one-on-one interviews with Todd to a whole bunch of publications. Which pretty much kills that whole corruption explanation.
I may be just a dumb TV critic, but I know baloney when I'm hearing it. Which is why I, along with several colleagues, walked out of the press conference at that point.
Frankly, I wasn't necessarily all that surprised that FX had a press conference about "Todd TV" without Todd. But I was insulted that the producers and network executives thought I was dumb enough to believe their unbelievable justifications.
Besides, it was kind of fun to make a point by exiting the room.
E-MAIL: pierce@desnews.com
Comments
- Hobbies: No-sew fleece pillows 11:14 a.m.
- Research before cleaning air ducts 11:12 a.m.
- Budget hinges on economic growth 11:10 a.m.
- Holiday tables a feast for the eyes 11:10 a.m.
- Planting your own holiday decor 11:06 a.m.
- Cable falls on I-80, closing lanes 11:06 a.m.
- Divine Design: A fairy-tale ending 11:05 a.m.
- Favorite web sites for the holiday 11:02 a.m.
- Kelly arrives at Notre Dame 11:01 a.m.
- Secret Santa finds new elves 11:01 a.m.
- Disappearance called 'sususpicious'
- LDS to emphasize helping needy
- Defense witness goes on offensive
- Unga might enter NFL draft
- Jazz manage a magical win
- Few details on missing W.V. mom
- Nude bathers cited for lewdness
- BYU football: NCAA awards
- Pitta doesn't win award
- Construction worker injured in jump
- Letters: Global warming a lie
256 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
206 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
193 - Palin signs books, chats with fans
167 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
151 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
142 - Nude bathers cited for lewdness
129 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
127 - Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
110
If all three of the Utahns still competing on "So You Think You Can...
Rather than go within to see what it is that is causing the disturbing...
Until ALL credible scientists agree on 'Global Warming', I'll keep thinking...
"Well, actually it was the Russians who defeated Germany in WWII, but don't...
Act as Aryan-like as you'd like ("we don't drink coffee - so we are close to...
Brick walls are better than fences.
Anonymous | 9:24 p.m. Dec. 10, 2009 Over inflated stats against an inferior...
Imagine that; A bleeding heart Liberal point added to the Church Mission...
I'm not a Lakers fan and especially not a Kobe Bryant fan but he is...
Beer: The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.
Atta-boy "mark | 9:04 a.m.". Just keep saying, "The information's out there,...




You can be the first to comment on this story.