By Lynn Elber, Television Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --"America's Got Talent" topped the ratings last week, but it faces the absence of Simon Cowell, seriously injured in an electric bicycle accident.
Cowell, the NBC talent contest's creator and linchpin of its judging panel, underwent surgery for a broken back last Saturday, just before the show kicked off its live episodes this week.
Kelly Clarkson, who came to fame as the first "American Idol" winner when Cowell judged the singing contest, was to step in as his temporary replacement.
Fox News Channel continued its summer ratings romp, with Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity's shows combining to hold nine of the top 20 primetime slots among all viewers.
Broadcast networks, mostly relying on scripted reruns with a sprinkling of reality and game shows, were in their usual seasonal slump.
In primetime last week, CBS topped broadcasters with an average of 3.7 million viewers. NBC had 2.7 million viewers, ABC had 2.3 million, Fox and Univision had 1.3 million, ION Television had 1.1 million and Telemundo had 930,000.
Fox News Channel led among cable networks, averaging 3.09 million viewers in prime time. MSNBC had 1.97 million, CNN had 1.34 million, HGTV had 1.27 million and TLC had 1.22 million.
ABC's "World News Tonight" led the evening newscasts, averaging 8.4 million viewers. NBC's "Nightly News" had 7.5 million, and the "CBS Evening News" had 5.3 million.
For the week of Aug. 3-9, the top 20 programs, their networks and viewerships:
"America's Got Talent," NBC, 6.16 million.
"NCIS," CBS, 4.91 million.
"America's Funniest Home Videos," ABC, 4.41 million.
"Celebrity Family Feud," ABC, 4.4 million.
"60 Minutes Presents," CBS, 4.14 million.
"Tucker Carlson Tonight" (Monday), Fox News, 4.08 million.
"FBI," CBS, 4.06 million.
"Tucker Carlson Tonight" (Friday), Fox News, 4.01 million.
"Hannity" (Wednesday), Fox News, 3.98 million.
"Hannity" (Tuesday), Fox News, 3.97 million.
"Tucker Carlson Tonight" (Tuesday), Fox News, 3.96 million.
"Young Sheldon," CBS, 3.95 million.
"Tucker Carlson Tonight" (Wednesday), Fox News, 3.89 million.
"Yellowstone," Paramount, 3.83 million.
"Hannity" (Thursday), Fox News, 3.81 million.
"World of Dance," NBC, 3.81 million.
"Hannity" (Monday), Fox News, 3.73 million.
"Great #AtHome Videos," CBS, 3.71 million.
"Blue Bloods," CBS, 3.71 million.
"Tucker Carlson Tonight" (Thursday), Fox News, 3.66 million.
"Big Brother" (Wednesday), CBS, 3.66 million.
"The Rachel Maddow Show" (Thursday), MSNBC, 3.59 million.
Sinners and Saints Adds Apple Pie To Its Branded Menu
Bicoastal Sinners and Saints--the multidisciplinary studio overseen by managing director/executive producer Heather Heller, and partners/EPs Yann Henric and Thomas Carroll--has added Apple Pie Tabletop to its roster for branded content. Known for its food and beverage content creation, Apple Pie comprises the husband-and-wife team of director/DP Gene Dubin and director/art director Alisa Volodina. In addition to representation, the move expands Apple Pie’s production capabilities through the combination of its centrally located full-service studio in New York and a newly established mobile studio in Los Angeles. Apple Pie recently teamed with Sinners and Saints on a Wienerschnitzel project created by Innocean.
“We believe that our dual studio strategy positions us uniquely in the competitive landscape of food and beverage storytelling,” said Heller. “By blending the artistry of the New York studio with the flexibility of our Los Angeles location, we can tailor our productions to meet the unique demands of each project, regardless of geography.”
“Working with Sinners and Saints in the demanding field of tabletop was an absolute pleasure,” shared Apple Pie Tabletop in a joint statement. “Warm welcome, unwavering support and dedication--everything a director can ask for. The entire experience was both enjoyable and rewarding. We will not miss an opportunity to collaborate with them again.”
“The first thing you notice is that Apple Pie has beautiful work,” Heller observed. “Having worked with them, I can say that Gene and Alisa are extremely meticulous and detail-oriented; their combination of talent and agility appeals to agencies and clients.” Also appealing to Heller is Apple Pie Tabletop’s brisk international... Read More