CBS spent its last hour of the Television Critics Association summer press tour Monday the same way that it will soon spend the first of its week-day late-night block–with Stephen Colbert.
The network also gave the stage to the producers and cast of “Supergirl” and “Life in Pieces,” expressed disappointment over Emmy nominations via entertainment chairman Nina Tassler, and sympathized with ratings giant Nielsen.
1. No Superman for ‘Supergirl,’ But Plenty of Non
“Supergirl” star Melissa Benoist will have to get by as the Girl of Steel without help from her character’s better-known cousin. Superman will be absent from the upcoming CBS series, producers confirmed Monday, though his presence will be felt.
“He will be a factor in her life but you won’t see him exactly on screen,” DC Comics Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns told reporters. “He’s gonna be more in the background.”
Executive producer Andrew Kreisberg did announce that another Kryptonian, the villainous Non, played in 1980’s “Superman II” by Jack O’Halloran, will make an appearance in the series.
2. Nina Tassler’s Emmy Bummer
Asked after her executive session Monday morning how she felt about her network’s Primetime Emmy nomination performance, CBS entertainment chairman Nina Tassler made her feelings known.
“Boo,” Tassler said. “Boo, boo, boo, boo, boo. You know, look, I’m bummed. What can I tell you? I think we have phenomenal performances, great writing, great directing.”
CBS had 41 Emmy nominations–the third-most of any network–but no nods in the best drama or comedy series categories.
3. Tea and Sympathy for Nielsen
CBS research chief David Poltrack, a 46-year veteran of the TV business, defended broadcast from accusations of obsolescence in a data-heavy presentation with the company’s digital head, Marc DeBevoise. He also spoke up on behalf of Nielsen, saying he had “great sympathy” for the ratings company.
“Their world is changing very, very rapidly,” Poltrack said. “I think they’re doing the best job they can to keep up.”
He added that he expects Nielsen to remain behind the curve of customer behavior for the next five years.
4. “Life in Pieces” Goes Looney Tunes
The cast of “Life in Pieces” was all laughs during the show’s panel, especially after executive producer Justin Adler compared the single camera sitcom to “Looney Tunes.” The very stoic James Brolin was cracking jokes with the rest of the cast, which includes Colin Hanks, Betsy Brandt, and Diane Wiest.
Brandt said after she heard Hanks had been cast, “I said I would still do it.” The cast also praised the child actors on the family comedy, but said Giselle Eisenberg “does give notes sometimes.”
5. Stephen Colbert Forsakes Ignorance, Makes Jokes
Stephen Colbert rocked the house at TCA, keeping the audience in stitches during his one-man panel. “The Late Show” host said he wants to make Donald Trump jokes on his new show really badly, and “right now I’m just dry Trumping.” Colbert also said he dropped his “Colbert Report” persona because he was tired of being “actively ignorant” about the guests on his show. Finally, he revealed that Kendrick Lamar will be the first musical guest when he debuts on CBS on Sept. 8.