I'm sure what will be lost among all of NBC Universal's job cuts is a line that I think is going to start the transformation of TV networks to a digital future. Jeff Zucker says that NBC's ad revenue between 8:00 and 9:00 cannot keep up with production costs. Therefore, NBC will not program any comedies or dramas during that hour.

Knowing that networks won't program half-hour shows after 10:00, that means the sitcom is relegated to six hours a week at most, with football taking up Sundays. More shows like "Deal Or No Deal" and probably the return of multiple "Datelines" or other cheap reality shows will be the future. And just think about the export of American programming to other countries. That's less American (for the time being, NBC) product abroad.

The other change is that MSNBC will probably be declared a disaster area soon. The hot rumor is "Hardball" and Olbermann will go to CNBC, while MSNBC's lineup becomes a dumping ground for those cheap Investigative Reports-type shows. NBC and MSNBC will probably share resources saving more money. It's a shame that creativity loses to the bottom line, and I guess Fox with "American Idol" and ABC with "Dancing With The Stars" have been doing this for a while, but less blatantly.

Meal of Links

Parma weeps. The Pink Flamingo plant closes November 1.

Creepy time. The best ghost photographs ever taken. Have the lights on when you look at these.

How Hewlett-Packard spied on one WSJ reporter. Now we know what a "pre-trash inspection" is.

Video of the Week

I like The Strokes and "Someday" is video iPod-worthy. What we have is a bunch of scenes of folks hanging out, firing up heaters and drinking beer. Followed by The Strokes playing Guided By Voices in a game of "Family Feud", with Richard Karn hosting. Things to look for: My kind of bar, not too big, lots of beer, CD jukebox, soccer on the TV. The bassist has the same shirt on in the bar scenes and the "Family Feud" scenes. The question: "If you were the world's biggest slob, what would you go a year without washing?" "Hands" was number one answer. Karn: "That's a big slob." Fake handshake ensues. Question 2: "Name something a mother doesn't want to find under her teenage boy's bed." "Drugs" only gets 8 points to which Karn says, "Apparently it's not that big of a concern." "Female clothing." was the funnier answer. Then the two bands start a fistfight.

The Strokes-"Someday"



Exercise Yard

How they make Albert Pujols bats. He said, "Poo holes", heh hee heh hee.

Visitor

10 Down: "Bus Stop" playwright (4 letters) Answer: Inge