Talk show host is considering runs for Senate, White House.
Twitter: 50 TV Insiders to Follow Right Now
Plot twists, cast changes, ratings ups and downs -- they're all steady fodder for Tweetage.
Sarah Silverman, Homer Simpson and 'Sons of Anarchy' show-runner Kurt Sutter
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The twits have taken over TV land.
Twitter, the microblogging service that's exploded in popularity in the past year, rapidly has become an essential tool for anyone trying to keep up with the goings on in the small-screen world.
Just last week, many in Hollywood found out about NBC's stunning decision to dump "Southland" not from a trade paper but via a tweet from Shawn Ryan, the "Lie to Me" showrunner. He got a call from a friend on the "Southland" set and immediately let his 2000 followers in on the news.
And when "Saturday Night Live" newcomer Jenny let slip an errant f-word on her first show last month, the news was all over Twitter long before the mainstream media could react.
While there are plenty of film and music insiders on Twitter, the Twitterverse seems tailor-made for TV types.
The typical movie has a pop culture half-life of two weeks to a month before the world moves on to the next big release. But successful TV shows go on for years, with frequent plot twists, cast changes and ratings ups and downs -- all of which provide steady fodder for tweetage.
Of course, just like primetime, the TV Twitterverse can resemble a vast wasteland of inane fan chatter and inaccurate rumors if you don't know which feeds to follow.
That's why TheWrap has assembled this list of 50 TV-centric folks worth checking out on Twitter. Follow this assortment of writers, producers, executives, bloggers -- and yes, journalists -- and you'll be on your way to being better informed about the state of the small screen.
Just having a well-known name wasn't enough to make this list, by the way. We looked for folks who updated their feeds on a regular basis (sorry, @BarbaraJWalters and @Oprah) and who provided interesting information on their feeds.
And while we wouldn't be presumptuous enough to include ourselves on the list, TheWrap is also on Twitter. Be sure to check out this reporter via @TVMojoe, our media reporter Dylan Stableford (@stableford) and the Big Boss Sharon Waxman (@sharonwaxman.) You can also get links to stories as they break via @theWrap.
Did we leave anyone off? Leave your suggestions for TV twits in the comments section.
WRITERS AND PRODUCERS
Shawn Ryan
The man behind "The Shield" and, now, "Lie to Me," is never shy with an opinion or observation about the TV business, pop culture and even politics.
Kurt Sutter
Like his hit FX series "Sons of Anarchy," Sutter (pictured, top right) pulls no punches (on Jeff Zucker: "a rudderless buffoon") and takes no prisoners (he called CBS's "Three Rivers" "torture porn" and said of Roman Polanski, "Got a child stoned on quaaludes. F---ed her in the a--.
Comments
Jeff Says
How about the folks over at @TVShowsOnDVD, who tell us when our favorite TV series are coming out on DVD? Can't live without those guys and gals!
Adalian Says
To all those who've mentioned the lack of Alan Sepinwall on this list:
Love @sepinwall but this wasn't a list of the best TV critics or bloggers. It's a list of people who use Twitter effectively. And, by his own admission, he's not a big Twit, in my opinion. 140 words isn't his forte. 14,000 words on TheWire, on the other hand...
coach pototo Says
Can't believe sepinwall is not listed. Saw the others that you have listed in his category and some are good (mo ryan, roush, james p., among others) but to not list sepinwall is a big no no. Do you have some beef against him? Quite frankly, can't imagine that someone who's an "insider" wouldn't list him. Hope you address this.
calibager Says
yeah, where's sepinwall!?!?!
Tarasa Says
Why isn't @feliciaday on the list? (she has over 1.4 mil followers)
Two others that are interesting (from whedonverse): @nathanfillion (Actor) and MoTancharoen (writer, Dollhouse & Dr. Horrible)
Linda Says
I agree that @sepinwall is a must if you love TV (his blog/reviews are the best). His reviews are thoughtful, insightful, and shows his love of the medium.
SR Says
Another vote for @sepinwall, plus one more for @Syfy
Matt Says
@sepinwall is a grave omission. Absoultely the best TV critic/blogger.
TV Beats Food Says
What about @thefutoncritic - they're known for all sorts of scheduling scoops.
Meg Says
There's nothing funny about Aziz Ansari's tweets, it would be easier to ignore his stupidity if he kept to bashing Bones because at least then the fans would just know he's running his mouth like a jerk, but to attack individual fans? Is he that desperate for attention and for people to watch his show that he'd make insulting people the bulk of of his tweets? I'm sure twitter has it's share of idiots who make it their mission to annoy people just for the heck of it but is he serious? He's not endearing himself to anyone, just making himself look like a bigger idiot. Being a fan of Bones I know through friends on Twitter that a lot of Bones fans are avoiding his show for just this reason, we could care less about his pathetic attempt to tear down the show because we know it's great but he crosses a line going after the fans personally. It's a shame because Amy Poehler is genuinely funny and worth watching but this is ridiculous.
ZDT Says
How is @sepinwall not on this list?
Alan Sepinwall writes for the NJ Star-Ledger and has his own blog, and is bar none the best TV critic around right now.
Richard Stellar Says
SORRY!!
That's MotionPictrHome - please follow us on Twitter.
Richard Stellar Says
If you want to keep up with the latest rumors and the occasional fact regarding the Motion Picture Home's intent to close the hospital and long term care unit, and the fight against it - please follow MotionPctrHome on Twitter. We're now following you!
Mark Says
You should take a look @mishacollins, Castiel on Supernatural.
Michelleann Says
The cast and creator of Leverage are awesome when they show is filming.
@jonrog1 and Electric44 keep the contact up in between seasons and are always informative.
@bergopolis is also a writer on the show and fun to follow.
Jill Kennedy Says
Here's a couple of others that must have been mistakenly left off. OnMedea - who broke the Marvel/Disney story and the Chairman & CEO of the world's largest media company - Khan Manka...
http://www.twitter.com/onmedea
http://www.twitter.com/khanmanka
Kirk Says
How about TVtimepodcast ? They're always quick with the latest tv tweets albeit via other sources. And Tim of TV time with tim and dustin is funny and is on frequently. Check him out.
Michael Heister Says
What about:
VDOVault
RainnWilson
__dana__
Mad_Men
kevin_nealon
How about a follow-up of Twitterers on the film side?
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