the buzz log
Early Emmy, The Rough Cut
How does this look on a TV producer's resume: short-listed for an Emmy, didn't make the nominee cut?
The Academy of Television Arts & Science, still smarting over the leaks that put its 2007 list online ahead of schedule, released this year's top 10 finalists four weeks early. The short list will then be chopped down by half for the formal July 17 announcement.
Is this unprecedented move the savviest political action? Will contenders given this slim sunshine ray of hope feel irked if they don't make the final? Will other shows that didn't even make this list feel doubly snubbed... like "Battlestar Galactica" (SciFi), "Desperate Housewives" (ABC), "Heroes" (NBC) or "How I Met Your Mother" (CBS)? Will the so-called Academy Blue Ribbon panel, whose opinion counts for 50%, look even more out of touch if it cuts out critical favorites?
Critics and fans have sounded a positive note on "The Wire" (HBO) making its last shot after being dissed during its five-season run. The Washington Post says basic cable shows—or a non-HBO cable show—may finally have a shot at winning best series... if either "Mad Men" (AMC), "Damages" (FX), or Showtime's three maybes make it past the voting committee.
Which fan base will be the most outraged come July 17? One clue may lie in a show's Search popularity during the Emmy qualifying period (June 1, 2007-May 31, 2008). Below are the shows ranked thusly. If online interest determined the nomination process, "The Wire" would make a snubs sweep.
| Top Searched Emmy Short-Listed Dramas | Top Searched Emmy Short-Listed Comedies | |||
| 1. | "Lost" (ABC) | 1. | "Family Guy" (Fox) | |
| 2. | "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC) | 2. | "The Office" (NBC) | |
| 3. | "Dexter" (Showtime) | 3. | "Ugly Betty" (ABC) | |
| 4. | "Friday Night Lights" (NBC) | 4. | "Entourage" (HBO) | |
| 5. | "House" (Fox) | 5. | "Two and a Half Men" (CBS) | |
| 6. | "The Tudors" (Showtime) | 6. | "Flight of the Conchords" (HBO) | |
| 7. | "The Wire" (HBO) | 7. | "Pushing Daisies" (ABC) | |
| 8. | "Boston Legal" (ABC) | 8. | "Weeds" (Showtime) | |
| 9. | "Mad Men" (AMC) | 9. | "30 Rock" (NBC) | |
| 10. | "Damages" (FX) | 10. | "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO) |
Filed under: TV, Award Shows, Emmy Awards, Emmy Awards 2008
Alternate Realities: The Shows of Summer
Every time the death of the reality show is predicted, a writer goes on strike and 20 more reality monsters grow. This summer, New York Magazine might have a point in predicting an apocalypse. Denise Richards wants her 30 minutes every week, product placement gets a soundtrack in "Jingles," and competitive food eaters star in a show called "Hurl." 'Nuf said on that topic.
Surely among this surreal toxic heap, there must be shows that are good and shows that are so bad they're good. Oh yeah.
Working Stiffs: Best Show
"Black Gold" (TruTV). Will crabbiness at the gas pump drive people to or away from a show about oil rig workers? Mined from the same blue collar vein as wildly popular "Ice Truckers" and "The Deadliest Catch," this crude bubbles rich in searches, up 585% this week. Check out the Houston Chronicle's interview with a top oilman.
We Like Spies Like Us: Best Return
"The Mole" (ABC). While this show debuted in Belgium back in 1999, its premise of spotting the competition saboteur seems fresh in a field of reality shows that reward backstabbers. While not all revivals are a good idea, this fan favorite is so far living up to its nostalgic buzz.
CSI: Most Painful Celebrity Scenes Investigation
"Living Lohan" (E!) and "Brooke Hogan Knows Best" (VH1). Does Dina Lohan have the best PR person ever or does she know mass hypnosis? Either way, the mom of a loose cannon bares her parenting skills with guinea pig number two. Meanwhile, Brooke Hogan puts on her game face as her brother sits in jail, her father gets his public persona torn to shreds, and her mother dates a guy who was in the grade behind her.
What other realities have audiences been checking out? Here are some of the most searched new summer reality programs of the past seven days.
| 1. | "Black Gold" (TruTV) |
| 2. | "The Mole" (ABC) |
| 3. | "Celebrity Circus" (NBC) |
| 4. | "She's Got the Look" (TV Land) |
| 5. | "Wipeout" (ABC) |
| 6. | "Flipping Out" (Bravo) |
| 7. | "Living Lohan" (E!) |
| 8. | "Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood" (Oxygen) |
| 9. | "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" (ABC) |
| 10. | "Celebrity Family Feud" (NBC) |
Filed under: TV, Reality TV, Summer
Buzz Multiplex: Sex Drive
It's double entendre week at the Buzz Multiplex. "Sex" pairs with "Strangers" on the marquee, and documentary "Bigger, Stronger, Faster," about America's roid rage, sparks mild interest. "The Strangers" follows the usual pattern of horror films with a strong showing in Search, partly because of its vague "based on a true story" claims. Crime fans are researching possible cinematic inspirations like the "keddie cabin murders" and the Manson murders and Barbara Hoyt.
The weekend, though, is all about "Sex." Is this really the unadulterated chick flick of the year? Unless those 35% of males searching for "sex and the city" are just looking up the title for the articles, the appeal looks to go beyond broads. (For men who want to articulate how much they don't want to see the Manhattan femmes, New York Magazine obliges with reader suggestions ranging from a preference for a "light flick on the nose" to being "punched in the stomach by the guy that killed Houdini.")
Still, "Sex" ranks as the top female bonding film of the year, especially among ladies 13-44. Radar Online may feel the need to go on the defensive about "Sex" appeal, but searchers have been unashamedly clamoring to find "spoilers," learn "trivia," catch up on "episodes" and "cast," buy "tickets," and read "reviews."
In response, EW.com provides an episode guide, and Yumsugar probes the foursome's influence on non-carnal appetites then and now. The Miami Herald delves into the hysteria with a cast interview that includes Chris Noth while Philly.com exposes the male handiwork behind the "SATC" mythology.
Associated Press caught up readers with the foursome and the actresses. As for online searches, surprisingly, while the primary protagonist "carrie bradshaw" is the clear character favorite, Sarah Jessica Parker doesn't lead the cast queries unless one lumps in searches for her Bitten clothing line.
More surprisingly, while the females make up the majority of movie searches, the guys comprise most of the actresses' online following. Muse over this paradox while checking out most popular "SATC" women... and their men.
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Idol Talk: Buzz Consolation Awards
If "American Idol" audiences had a nickel for every time the judges and host Ryan Seacrest boasted that this season had the best contestants ever, they might be able to afford a six-pack of blatant product placement.
"Best ever" may be debatable, but the blame doesn't entirely rest on the singers. What with the show's sped-up, assembly-line process and its decision to squeeze in another telethon, the competitors barely got time to show some spark of life.
Still, as Season 7 fades into the horizon, and the Davids congratulate one another on a contest well-tussled, and the glow of nostalgia diminishes Jason Castro's Marley massacre and magnifies the memory of his ukelele Aloha spirit, it's time to appreciate the highlights and lowlifes with the Buzz Log Consolation Awards. Heckuva job, kids.
The Michael Jackson Award: Chikezie Eze. The Nigerian-born warbler did the partial owner of the Beatles library proud with his rambunctious bluegrass take on "She's a Woman," which finally got him his Search following, fleeting as it was.The Judges'-Pet Curse: Michael Johns. Ever since Chris Daughtry got his fourth-place boot, people have been looking for each season's shocking exit. The Aussie became the latest unsurprising "shocker," but among the Search audience, Johns not only couldn't compare to fellow rocker David Cook, he also had the lowest searches among the Top 12 (except for Syesha Mercado).
God Bless the USA Award: Kristy Lee Cook. Religion, the unspoken undercurrent in Season 6, stepped out in the center of "Idol's" rabidly secular stage this year. Cook swung the buzz in her direction with Lee Greenwood's patriotic blessing, and ended up the most popular female contestant in online look-ups.
The Race Race: Ramiele Malubay. Heck, it's an election year, and talking about race is OK. Searchers explored a possible Filipino heritage for David Archuleta and Danny Noriega, but Malubay was the real deal. She may not have hit her goal to become the first Asian-American Idol, but she did get enough Search hits to become the second most-popular female contestant.
The Subversive Songbird Award: Jason Castro. He yawned on stage, seemed perplexed over the notion of cats in a musical, looked relieved when voted off—and the whole time, not a dred out of place. The fourth most-searched contestant ranks first in his ability to spur the most queries for a contestant's songs—and promoting Bruddah IZ and Leonard Cohen in the process. Hallelujah.
The Lowlife Award: ... No, not David Hernandez, who was only trying to make a living. This award goes to the producers, who haven't yet figured out how to make the contestants—not the celebrity guests—the focus of the show, and bring "Idol" back to the basics. Get over the seven-year itch, or the marriage is off.
Filed under: TV, Reality TV, American Idol, Music
A Crushing Blow
When news of the upcoming CBS mixed martial arts bout between Gina Carano and Kaitlin Young first hit the sportswire, some asked if mainstream America could handle a female MMA.
The country may not be ready for a female president, but bring on the girl fight. The Carano-Young May 31 bout will be the first MMA match ever seen on a mainstream network. Undefeated kickboxer Carano put a chokehold on the national spotlight as alter ego Crush on "American Gladiators." The NBC revival promptly established her as the Search favorite. Now Carano, who appeared on ESPN E:60 Tuesday, is the star fighter among boxing promoter EliteXC's plan to create a women's MMA title.
Her searches have roared up 6,000% this week into the top 200, with every single state in the union studying up. To put that into context, Carano's buzz is:
• about 19 times higher than what MMA icon Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell got for his high-profile beating last May
• 10% higher than Paris Hilton this week
• 25 times that of former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards after his endorsement of Barack Obama.
People (89% male) have been clamoring for details on "mma gina carano" and "gina carano weigh in." (Okay, it's not all about prowess: "gina carano maxim," "gina carano myspace," "gina carano red dress," and "gina carano swimsuit pics" also score in Search.) Her opponent Young has engendered far less curiosity.
The CBS-EliteXC Saturday Night Fights series launches May 31 with the Carano-Young card. Looks like that will be boys' night in... and thanks to Carano's pioneering fists, a girls' night out in the MMA world.
Filed under: Sports, TV, Martial Arts, Women
top movers
| Rank | Subject | 1-Day Move |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oddest Jobs | Breakout! |
| 2 | Vivienne Marcheline And Knox Leon | Breakout! |
| 3 | Shwayze Song | Breakout! |
| 4 | Cell Phone Etiquette | Breakout! |
| 5 | Your Home Page | 17280% |
| 6 | W Magazine | 8647% |
| 7 | Christie Brinkley | 8361% |
| 8 | Selma Blair | 5953% |
| 9 | Nashville Star | 2758% |
| 10 | Neiman Marcus Christmas Book | 1365% |
top leaders
| Rank | Subject | Move | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leryn Franco | +244 | 456 |
| 2 | Holly Madison | +288 | 351 |
| 3 | Halloween Costumes | -17 | 222 |
| 4 | Hi-5 | +8 | 220 |
| 5 | Kellie Pickler | +101 | 200 |
| 6 | Jamie Lynn Spears | +80 | 180 |
| 7 | NFL | +0 | 136 |
| 8 | Barack Obama | -1 | 119 |
what's the buzz?
A subject's buzz score is the percentage of Yahoo! users searching for that subject on a given day, multiplied by a constant to make the number easier to read. Weekly leaders are the subjects with the greatest average buzz score for a given week.
For more detailed information, visit our FAQ.