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UndercoverBoss
Fox Orders More 'Napoleon Dynamite' & 'Allen Gregory,' 'Torchwood' Gets Good Start on Starz & More TV News
by Chris Harnick, posted Jul 11th 2011 7:00PM
Before either show has debuted, Fox has handed out additional script orders to new cartoons 'Allen Gregory' and 'Napoleon Dynamite.'According to Vulture, 'Gregory' received an order for six new scripts and 'Dynamite' got seven.
More script orders could happen this fall if Fox continues to like what it sees.
Look for 'Gregory' to premiere Oct. 30 after 'The Simpsons' traditional 'Treehouse of Horror' special. 'Dynamite' is set for mid-season.
In other TV news ...
Light, Escapist Shows Rise to the Head of the Freshman Class of 2009-10
by Gary Susman, posted Apr 30th 2010 3:30PM
When the going gets tough, the tough veg out in front of the tube.Variety's picks for the top new series of the 2009-10 season suggest that, in these tough times, viewers' favorite new shows were generally the light, escapist, family-friendly ones. Most were comedies (including 'Community,' 'Glee,' and 'Modern Family'), but even the dramas were low-key affairs ('Parenthood,' the strangely reassuring 'Good Wife,' the fantasy 'Vampire Diaries').
Of the four new dramas on the list, only one was a crime procedural ('NCIS: Los Angeles'). Even the one reality show on the list was one that didn't involve competition and elimination ('Undercover Boss').
Three Key Factors in the Success of 'Undercover Boss'
by Allison Waldman, posted Apr 16th 2010 5:02PM
Since landing the cushy debut time slot after the Super Bowl to launch its run, CBS's 'Undercover Boss' has been an unqualified success for the network. In fact, in nearly every Sunday since its premiere -- with or without the lead in of a sporting event -- 'Undercover Boss' has showed well in the ratings. The season finale on April 11 was the number one program in the 18-49 rating, the one that TV execs covet the most. Therefore, you can understand why 'Undercover Boss' easily earned a second season renewal. It won't be a mid-season drop in, either. You watch, it's going to be on the CBS upfront schedule for the fall.
1-800-Flowers Boss Has Hard Time Staying 'Undercover' (VIDEO)
by Chris Harnick, posted Apr 12th 2010 11:20AM
1-800-Flowers boss Chris McCann didn't have an easy time being incognito on 'Undercover Boss' (Sun., at 9PM on CBS). First, in fear of being outed by somebody he's met before, the 1-800-Flowers company president revealed himself to the general manager of a branch. But, just when he thought he was in the clear, Jim McCann, brother to Chris and the CEO of 1-800-Flowers shows up for a surprise inspection.
"He could've called me, he could've just hooked up with me later," Chris said. "Let me do my job." But, Jim said he wanted to "turn up the flames on the degree of discomfort he felt." Ah, sibling rivalry at its best.
Watch the clip after the jump.
Roto-Rooter Boss Gets Emotional on 'Undercover Boss' (VIDEO)
by Jane Boursaw, posted Apr 5th 2010 2:22AM
It might be corny to say we're all connected one way or another, but it really is true. On 'Undercover Boss' (Sun., 9PM ET on CBS), Rick Arquilla, the CEO of Roto-Rooter, found he had something in common with an employee who's been in recovery for drugs and alcohol for six and a half years."I want you to know, it's a real honor having met you, and something else I didn't tell you is my dad was an alcoholic," Arquilla said tearfully. "It ruined his life. It made it hard on me, and we never reconciled, but ... I did reconcile. I reconciled this week with him, and you're the guy that allowed me to do that ... I'll be forever grateful."
Watch the video after the jump.
April 2010 Premiere Dates and Finales
by Jason Hughes, posted Mar 30th 2010 1:30PM

Two long-running series hit milestones this month when 'Bones' achieves it's centennial and 'South Park' doubles up that achievement with episode 200. Fans of NBC's 'Merlin' will be pleased to know that the second season of the popular British series launches this month (April 2) on Syfy.
Both MTV's 'The Hills' and Showtimes' The Tudors' premiere their final seasons, while 'Ugly Betty' signs off for good. TNT wraps their run of 'Southland,' awaiting ratings results to make any decisions on renewal.
With spring upon us, most of the network shows are heading toward their season finales, while a few, like 'Glee' and 'Fringe,' are returning from long breaks. Keep track of all the television comings and goings with our April guide
A Theme Park Dream Comes True on 'Undercover Boss' (VIDEO)
by Jane Boursaw, posted Mar 29th 2010 4:06AM
We'd weep too if CEO Joel Manby offered to pay us 40 hours a week while we're going to school to learn the theme park trade. Wait, is he also paying for college? Well, either way, it's still a really amazing opportunity on 'Undercover Boss' (Sun., 9PM ET on CBS).These shows are getting pretty predictable, though, aren't they? By the time the sit-down happens and the undercover boss is out in the open, he'd better be offering some pretty darn cool opportunities in order to keep pace with all the other undercover bosses.
Be sure to check out weekly interviews and 'Undercover Boss' news.
Watch the video after the jump.
Michael Rubin Gives Back on 'Undercover Boss' (VIDEO)
by Jane Boursaw, posted Mar 22nd 2010 3:24AM
'Undercover Boss' (Sun., 9PM ET on CBS) is sort of turning into the "who's the best boss" show, but that's ok. As long as their hard-working employees benefit, we're onboard.On last night's show, CEO Michael Rubin showed his true colors by offering to help an employee get married. The sad part is the employee had lost his baby daughter due to complications at birth, but maybe there's still a happy ending in store for that couple.
Be sure to check out weekly interviews and 'Undercover Boss' news.
Watch the video after the jump.
Churchill Downs Boss Gets Emotional on 'Undercover Boss' (VIDEO)
by Jane Boursaw, posted Mar 15th 2010 12:23AM
We never in a million years thought 'Undercover Boss' (Sun., 9PM ET on CBS) would have such emotional stories, but it happened again on tonight's episode.Bill Carstanjen, COO of Churchill Downs, Inc., was moved to tears when he learned that an employee's daughter had died of a heart defect. So much so that the company decided to name a race after her, and have her friends and family present the trophy in the winner's circle.
Are all of you bosses out there watching this show? Are you paying more attention to your employees? Because we really hope so!
Watch the video after the jump.
CBS Renews 'Undercover Boss'
by Laura Prudom, posted Mar 9th 2010 3:45PM
It seems that CBS is eager to prove that it's still the boss by renewing its newest hit series, 'Undercover Boss,' for a second season, The Live Feed reports. 'Boss,' a wish-fulfillment show for many jaded workers, follows high-level chief-executives of top companies as they walk a mile in their employees' shoes and meet the blue collar Joes and Janes who keep their companies running.
White Castle Boosts Employee's Dream on 'Undercover Boss' (VIDEO)
by Jane Boursaw, posted Mar 1st 2010 1:00AM
Oh, man. White Castle just rocketed up a few hundred notches in our book.On 'Undercover Boss' (Sun., 9PM ET on CBS), when owner Dave Rife realized that he had an employee who was a great cook but hadn't had much support from his family, he gave him a $5000 scholarship to pursue his dreams.
"I believe in you, and White Castle believes in you," Rife told the boy. And we believe in you, too! Go get 'em!
Watch the video after the jump.
Three Burning Questions About 'Undercover Boss'
by Joel Keller, posted Feb 22nd 2010 5:02PM
In my cubicle world days as an IT guy, I always wondered if upper management would have a much different picture of what went on among the rank and file if they just took some time to come to the office and do what we did. So the premise of the new CBS reality series 'Undercover Boss' intrigued me; a CEO goes undercover to work with various employees to see what really goes on where the rubber hits the road.But after three episodes (and seeing the preview of the fourth), a few troubling questions have come up that make me wonder if this show is going to be as illuminating as originally thought:
1. Why so many food service companies? Of the five episodes already scheduled, three involve food service companies (Hooters, 7-Eleven and White Castle). I know these companies have more manual-labor, entry-level jobs than a technology company might have, and seeing the CEO of 7-Eleven struggle to make coffee is fun to watch, but the formula is going to get a little boring after a while, isn't it?
CEO Gets an American Dream Lesson on 'Undercover Boss' (VIDEO)
by Jane Boursaw, posted Feb 22nd 2010 4:20AM
It takes a guy named Igor to clue the CEO of 7-Eleven in on the American dream. Seriously, he's like a character out of a Paul Haggis film."America is the best country in the world," says Igor in broken English. "You guys just do not really know how blessed you are ... I came in the U.S. with no English, no knowledge of any culture, fifty bucks in my pocket ... "
The boss is impressed, and so are we. Igor knows what many people take for granted -- the U.S. is the land of opportunity. 'Undercover Boss' is on Sun., 9PM ET on CBS.
Watch the video after the jump.
President of Hooters Not Happy on 'Undercover Boss' (VIDEO)
by Jane Boursaw, posted Feb 16th 2010 2:00AM
Coby Brooks, president and CEO of Hooters, reminds us a little of Hugh Hefner. Even though he might be exploiting the women who work at his restaurants, he seems to really love women – in a good way. Or not. Maybe the whole scheme is just a big plot to objectify females.But that's not the way it looked on 'Undercover Boss' (Sun., 9PM ET on CBS). Brooks wasn't happy with how one of his managers was interacting with the girls. Making them eat beans off a plate with no hands, with the winner getting the rest of the day off? Not classy. Even for Hooters. You could tell the guy knew his goose was cooked as soon as Brooks revealed himself.
Watch the video after the jump.
Review: 'Undercover Boss' - Series Premiere
by Isabelle Carreau, posted Feb 8th 2010 8:30PM
(S01E01) Networks usually give the post-Super Bowl time slot to household series or to series they really believe in and want to offer a ratings booster. This year, CBS decided to give the post-Super Bowl time slot to the new The series follows high-level CEOs are they go undercover in their own company to examine how things work outside of their ivory towers.
In the premiere, Larry O'Donnell (pictured right), president and COO of Waste Management, got out of his suit and put on worker clothes to live a day in the lives of four of his employees.
Does the concept work? Will I tune in for more? My two cents coming up!
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