James Sims

  • Why Katzenberg Went Wrong at DreamWorks

    He ignored his Disney schooling, opting to fill animated films with celebrities rather than heart

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    James Sims

  • ‘Glee’ Returns, Bringing Good Vibrations and Real Change

    Fox’s show sets good example for school arts programs, communities

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    James Sims

  • Make Triumph the Insult Dog Jay’s Co-Host

    Who wants a washed up comedian to return to late-night with his tail between his legs?

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    James Sims

  • Will ’10 Things’ Add Up to TV Success?

    Just last week I stumbled upon an email invitation from my high school reunion committee. It’s been 10 years since I departed Saugus High, a mostly white-bred school in an innocuous Los Angeles suburb. I’ve yet to decide if I’ll be making a trip back to California for this little shindig. It’s not that I…

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    James Sims

  • Let’s Hear It for Maya Rudolph!

    Whenever I bring up leading "Saturday Night Live" ladies, nearly all of my pop culture obsessed friends proclaim Tina Fey is the best and brightest.   There is no disputing that her comic skills are untouchable when it comes to writing — "30 Rock" is perhaps the best comedy on TV right now. And her…

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  • It Takes a Frog to Save Disney

    I randomly flipped on "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" the other day and quickely recalled a gathering I attended a few years back where Andreas Deja, a Disney animator, spoke about bringing the zany rabbit to life.   Deja had joined the Disney animation department in 1980, where he actually had a chance to meet many…

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    James Sims

  • Hey NBC, What the ‘Chuck’?

    If television uber-fans have taught the networks anything, it’s that they are unwilling to let ratings dictate when a show gets axed. The CBS series "Jericho" was dying a slow death in 2007 at the hand of the Nielsen ratings, but an online movement resurrected the doomsday-scenario drama. Fans shipped bags of peanuts to network…

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    James Sims

  • SAG Might Kill Hollywood’s Evolution

    President Obama dropped by NBC Thursday for what will hopefully be a future fireside chat series, although better off without Jay Leno. And who was out in full force to greet our newly elected leader but a bunch of grumpy SAG members. Oh yes, and ousted national exec Doug Allen. The actors’ union continues to…

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    James Sims

  • ‘Sesame Street’ Needs Another Hero

    Sesame Street Needs Another Hero If the fact that media companies are quickly turning to dust hasn’t scared America yet, one recent news item should be causing serious concern.  Sesame Workshop, best known for producing "Sesame Street," announced last week it would be cutting 20 percent of its staff thanks to financial concerns. Newspapers will…

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    James Sims

  • Reinventing Alec Baldwin

    The recent circulation of Christian Bale’s meltdown on the set of "Terminator: Salvation" reminded me of that infamous recording that threatened the career of another lauded actor.  No, I’m not referring to Michael Richards’ racist tirade or David Hasselhoff’s burger incident.  Neither of those celebrities’ careers could sink any lower. Alec Baldwin, however, was hit…

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    James Sims

  • How Live+7 Ratings Saved “90210”

    Word of early renewals came down the pipeline this week as the CW delivered golden tickets to shows including “90210,” “Smallville,” “Gossip Girl” and “America’s Next Top Model.”   Kudos to the casts and crews. But instead of thanking CW exec Dawn Ostroff, these shows should consider giving a big hug to an advertiser’s greatest…

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    James Sims