WB snubs Hulu, announces web video distribution plans
Just days after launching a private beta of its new online video portal, The WB has announced plans to expand its online video distribution network. Honestly, the whole thing sounds a lot like Hulu, the online video portal backed by NBC and FOX.
Here’s how it will work: You’ll be able to visit TheWB.com or TheKidsWB.com and watch full-length episodes of classic WB shows like Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and Gilmore Girls, or you’ll be able to find videos through a number of partners including DailyMotion, Sling Media, Veoh, TiVo, and Joost. The WB currently distributes some TV shows through Hulu, but not all of them.
It would have been nice if the WB had partnered with Hulu instead of competing with the web site. Fortunately, the distribution deals announced today mean that you don’t need to visit two separate sites to find the content you’re looking for. Some of the partner sites, including Veoh will have episodes from both Hulu and The WB, as well as selected content from CBS.
The new web channels will go live in mid-September. Or you can sign up for the private beta at TheWB.com.
The WB is back … almost - VIDEO
I’ve long since given up hope for those flying cars we were all supposed to be piloting in the new millennium. Now, I’ll settle for that other years ago future dream, all of TV at your fingertips whenever you want it. We’re still a ways away from that one, but the new WB is another step in that direction.
The site is still in beta, so the amount of content leaves a little to be desired, but most of it seems to be working, and it gives a good idea of what will be waiting for everybody when the site goes live. They finally came through with my beta invite, and I’ve been poking around. Hit the gallery for the bigger screen shots of the various areas and interface, and join me after a jump for a quick tour in text. A word of warning, the embedded video after the jump will autostart. Beta.
The first thing you notice as you log in is that the site is very flashy. Characters from the various shows are floating in and out of the window. There’s just a lot going on. It’s impressive looking at first, but something I think that novelty will wear off quickly for most. You can get a look at the flashy graphics, and sign up for the beta, if you head over to beta.thewb.com. Luckily, there is plenty more to get to. As of now, the site is divided into eight different sections.
Shows: As you would guess, the link takes you to a page listing all of the shows on the site. Right now those shows include The OC, Smallville, All Of Us, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Friends, Dangerous, The Wayans Bros. Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, Blue Water High, and The WB.com Originals.
Hovering over the tabs for the shows plays a clip, and clicking any of those will take you to the page for the show. Right now each of the shows have about five episodes available. Obviously, that’s going to need to be upped for the site to compete with the other sites doing this, but I’m sure that’s in the cards for the official launch.
Video: The video page gives you links back to the various show pages on the right, and a video window on the left that plays promos for them. I don’t quite get why you would use it. It seems to me that the people heading to thewb.com are going to have an idea what they are looking for. Perhaps once the originals come online it will serve more of a purpose to give you a peek at something you are not already familiar with.
Originals: Currently there are six shows listed on the originals page. Those are Sorority 4 Ever, Untitled Schwartz Project, Exposed, High Drama Despite All Oz, Lock Down, and Rich Girl, Poor Girl. Unfortunately, they are all still listed as coming soon, so we’ll have to wait and see if there is a gem hidden in there.
Games: The games are rather simple, but hold the potential for a nice diversion from work, if you are looking for one. They mostly play on the same games you’ve seen bouncing around the internet for years. Who is your best match in Tree Hill? It turns out mine is Peyton. There is also an OC memory match, some Friends trivia in Professor Gellar’s Pop Quiz, pop culture trivia with Gilmore Girls, Buffy’s Crossbow Attack, and Smallville’s Escape From Luthorcorp.
Celebs & Stars: This looks to be a portal for entertainment news and video. For now it is pulling news and videos from TMZ.com. I don’t see myself making use of this, because I already get more entertainment news than the average bear from other outlets, but it could be useful for some. I’ll be curious to see how that section expands.
WBlender: Another incomplete section, the WBlender will let you mix, mash, and blend videos from the site into your own creations which you can then share. There are a couple of examples. One has the Friends theme song redone with each word cut out of a scene from the show. The other is a collection of the many instances of Joey saying “How you doin’?”
Video Search: This is a section that really has potential. You choose a show and you can search the episodes for the text you are looking for. I picked a random quote from Gilmore Girls with Lorelai telling Rory, “You got your fabulous flair from me.” The engine correctly picked “Kill Me Now.”
Talk Back: As the name suggests, the fine folks at WB are looking for feedback.
So, that’s the basics of the layout. All things considered I’m pretty impressed with what they have so far. It’s a nice looking site, with some decent extras tossed in. But really, all of that stuff is mostly incidental. The site will sink or swim based on the content, and the player. Assuming that those episode counts grow, they should be in pretty good shape.
The player works exactly as you would expect, and the quality is in the same ballpark with its online rivals. I watched “Welcome To The Hellmouth” again, because you just can’t see it too many times. While you won’t confuse it with your DVDs, it played back smoothly and the quality held up when expanded to full screen. If you watch it in the browser window there is also a section below that toggles between a synopsis of the episode and random bits of trivia. In addition, they have the bonus of letting you share videos in a variety of ways. You can send them to your facebook profile, email a friend, or embed them in your site. I’ve added “Welcome To The Hellmouth” at the end of the post so you can have a look at the quality. It works well, except for that autostart thing.
Gilmore Girls Creator Keeps Reunion Hope Alive
Hey, kids, it's Korbi again, with some good Gilmore dish. Everyone's favorite show runner, Ms. Amy Sherman-Palladino, is here at the press tour promoting her new Fox comedy, The Return of Jezebel James (with Parker Posey and Lauren Ambrose). But of course, the obvious question—Any thoughts on the Gilmore series finale?—was imminent.
Her response? "Here's the deal: I didn't watch it. I think I just got very drunk that night, and he [husband and writing partner, Daniel Palladino] read in a corner, and then we went to bed."
Sherman-Palladino went on to say that she just couldn't bear to watch, because it wouldn't be her ending. And yes, she finally let the cat out of the bag on the famed line she had intended to wrap the series: "You're adopted."
She kids! She kids!
She's keepin' it a secret for now. Why? Because the possibility of a future Gilmore project (say, a TV movie or somethin' of the sort) is still alive. "I love all those people. Lauren [Graham]'s my pal…Yeah, we've talked about doing a little song and dance sometime down the road."
Spoiler Chat: Lorelai Speaks Out on Gilmore Ending; Heroes Adds Newbies
Greetings, tubers! I hope you're ready for some serious scoop today because I am on fi-yah! Literally. I sorta burned my bottom during my bridal shower yesterday at the W Hotel, thrown by our OG Party Girl, Lara Morgenson. It was pretty much the best time a girl could have had (can I just say blackberry mojitos, a scrumptious brunch and poolside fire pits to make s'mores?), but I forgot to have one of the hot pool boys SPF up my nether regions. Whoopsie! Anyway, enough from this whiney bridey hiney! What smoldering scoop do you all wanna know, hmmm?
Janice in Miami: Is Veronica Mars really over?
It really is. As you know, this Friday is the last day for the CW to pick up the show, and Rob Thomas has already been informed that they will not be picking up the show for midseason. I'm told this was the plan for quite some time, but that the CW higher-ups did not want to make an official announcement in order to keep from rattling Veronica's fans more. Personally, I'm about as rattled as they come, but I'm trying to hold my head high. Anybody got a neck brace?
Francesca: Any chance of a Gilmore Girls reunion? I want to know how Amy Sherman-Palladino would have ended it! What was the final line?
I got to ask that very question of Lauren Graham herself, who tells me: "People keep asking me about it, and I haven't spoken to anyone who could actually make it happen. I do wish [Amy S.-P.] had gotten to be a part of the end, because the show was so much Amy's vision from the beginning, but there were a number of reasons that wasn't the way it was. But would those four final words have made a difference? I'm not sure. I think we were at a good place to end, and I think it was a natural ending." Lauren also sent out a message to you fans (including you who are still flooding my inbox with "Save Gilmore Girls" messages): "I have been very moved by the response from people in just their kindness about the show and sadness about it ending. I really have appreciated that." Sniffle.
Gabrielle in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania: Please, in the name of all things that are holy, please explain to me that series finale of The Sopranos! After all of these years of loyal viewing—I just don't get it. Did you? Feeling very lost…
'Twas weird, no? Okay, here's what I got: I think the visual pacing and set design were intended to recall the scene in The Godfather where Michael made his bones by shooting the police captain, and I believe that with the man in the Members Only jacket going into the bathroom, they wanted us to believe a shooting was imminent. When the screen went black, it was arguably because Meadow rushing into the café was the last thing Tony ever saw before Members Only shot him in the head. (And maybe from there on out, Meadow was the college-educated, last best hope for the Sopranos, just as Michael was the true heir of Don Corleone?) Except…jeez, Chase, could you vague that up a little? My next best guess is that life (even if you suddenly get dead) does not have a clear-cut ending. Life is not television; it's not a story well told. It's chaos. That random moment at the café was as good a moment as any on which to end the tale of Tony Soprano and the north New Jersey family. Or…maybe my TiVo was on the fritz? It could go either way.
Tina in Kansas City, Missouri: I'm a giant fan of yours and an average-size Shoebox writer, and I thought you might like this list of 10 things that may have happened after the screen went dark on The Sopranos.
Ha! My personal favorite is nine. Or seven. Or maybe eight…
J. in Portage, Indiana: Are you seriously engaged to Jonathan Tucker?
I am not seriously engaged to Jonathan Tucker. But he did once give me his fraternity pin. I'm kidding. All my future TV husbands are the result of totally imaginary engagements. They belong to their people, and I belong to my Brazilian thunder from down under. (And no, he is not a stripper.)
Zoriah: Ooh! Gossip! Does Ausiello's blind item about a white female prima donna have anything to do with your piece on Lost's bad castmate?
Nope. And I just hope it's not me!
Romain in Belfort, France: Is the alienated castmember of Lost, like, blonde and Australian?
Frak no. The Australian blonde is as sweet and fuzzy and adored as the baby duckling she resembles.
Lisibeth in France: An actor on Lost, a big falling-out with the rest of the cast and it has already had an impact of the storyline…Well, all my money would be on a [totally accurate description which can't be printed] being the culprit. Do you predict bankruptcy or fortune for me soon?
I predict: Cha-ching! And because I want my own paychecks to keep coming, I blanked out your guess. Now, how are you with lottery numbers?
Deborah in Mountain View, California: I love the Sanders family on Heroes. Are we going to see D.L. and Niki reconnect?
I asked that very question of Ali Larter and Leonard Roberts recently. Ali says, "It's definitely a complicated situation. We deal with one character really taking a big, strong stance, so it definitely makes for a complicated affair." And Leonard is right there with you! He says, "It's my hope that D.L. and Niki find their way back to each other, because I think there's something special there."
Shawna in Yonkers, New York: Hayden Panettiere is back on Heroes in season two, right? Any word on what's in store for our little Claire?
I asked Hayden what she wants for Claire. Here's what she told me: "This show has been so broad, and it's been such an incredible thing that it seems like it can go anywhere and that she can go anywhere, so I'd like to see a change of location maybe. Toward the end of the season, I'd like to see her get a little bit of a change of style—more sophisticated, growing into her own. I'd like to see a boy in the horizon somewhere, which I've heard rumors of." Ooh-la-la!
Trudy in Denver: When is it time for the annual Tater Top Awards? Did I miss it?
Nope. We pushed it back a little this year, but we will start the ball rolling very soon. So, do me a favor, will ya? Send any and all nominations for all the big categories (best actor, actress, drama, comedy, kiss, fight, chemistry, villain, moment that made you want to throw out your TV, etc.).
Steve in Studio City, California: 1. Will Eight Days a Week be any good, or am I just being thrown off because the girls are pretty? 2. Is mental incapacitation a requisite when trying to obtain a Nielsen box? 3. How many Pussycat Dolls does the world really need? 4. Which is a better way to spend my Wednesdays, shaving with a cheese grater or watching Hidden Palms? 5. Farmer Wants a Wife? Are you serious?
Whew! You are full of Q's! Okay. Big breath. 1. I hear very good things about Eight Days a Week! 2. Allow me to quote Edward James Olmos at last week's Battlestar Galactica panel: "Nielsen needs a hole in the head." 3. Everyone knows Pussycat Dolls are to the world as honeybees are to flowers: needed, wanted, loved. Don't be such a hater. 4. Hidden Palms is better than shaving with a cheese grater but worse than shaving with a Microplane zester. Every man must make this decision for himself. 5. Hey, I just work here…
Edie in Astoria, New York: Thanks so much for covering Battlestar Galactica. Any more scoop from the event?
Here's everything that didn't make it into the Vine show from my round of False, True, Frak No I Won't Tell You with Ronald D. Moore. Do with it what you will!
- Lee loves Dee. True.
- Laura Roslin is dying. True.
- Laura Roslin will use any means necessary to bring her people to Earth. True.
- Helo is totally hot. What? Helo?! No way. False. [I think he's kidding here!—K.V.]
- Caprica Six has free will. True.
Maria in Raleigh, North Carolina: Last week's Shield finale didn't even feel like a season finale, let alone a series finale. Do you have any word on if this show is done or if we'll be getting more?
I can tell you exactly what Michael Chiklis says on the matter: "We start shooting the final season June 18. I don't think Shawn [Ryan] and the writers know what the endgame will be exactly—we have ideas, and there's been a lot of ideas pitched—but I think they're about six shows in, of the 13. I don't think anyone really knows the end yet."
Emma in San Diego: What do you hear about Age of Love?
It starts on Monday on NBC! According to host Mark Consuelos, his former daytime drama gig ain't got nothing on this reality show, which pits twentysomethings against fortysomethings for the affections of a tennis pro. "I don't think you could write the stuff that's on this show," he told reporters. "I fell in love with this medium of reality TV by watching the conversations and interactions between the two groups of women."
Gina in Nevada: Could you please write about the iTunes Tuesday we are promoting for Veronica Mars? Tomorrow we are asking fans to go online and purchase Veronica's final episode, "The Bitch Is Back," from iTunes to show our support. Thanks so much!
Fo' shizzle. I love the idea of iTunes Tuesday. I'll be downloading with the rest of you, since continued demonstrations of support for Veronica Mars could potentially influence the development of a movie.
Katie in Marion, Illinois: I've been getting pumped for the new season of Big Love, and I've heard we will be getting an origins-type episode (or two) showing us what happened before the show started? Please say it is true!
Actually, if you have HBO on Demand, the "origins" episodes you speak of are already available to you. I haven't seen them yet, but I'm told there are three mini eps that reveal how Nicolette and Margene joined the family and also how they ended up in that three-home suburban compound of theirs. Don't fret if you're not an HBO on Demand subscriber, though, I hear these little treats will soon be viewable on hbo.com, too. And HBO is scheduled to air them June 24!
SPOILER SECTION: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Marianna in Wichita, Kansas: Any Heroes scoop? I can't believe summer just started. Seems like the show ended forever ago!
I hear ya, girl. But the good news is the cast actually starts filming new episodes next week, so spoilers are starting to leak out! I'm hearing a bit of The Black Donnellys may have rubbed off on Heroes, as they're welcoming a new recurring character named Will, aka Blackie, an Irish mobster who's mixed up in small-time crime!
Michael in Corona, California: Are they adding any characters on Heroes?
Yep. I'm hearing we meet a new character who's been alive for 1,000 years. And sadly, he is not played by David Boreanaz. I'm pretty sure it's the character David Anders is in the running for, but not sure.
Anthony in Plymouth, Massachusetts: Is Stephen Collins going to reprise his role on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia this summer? He was awesome last year!
Survey says…yesssirreee! When my partner in scoop Korbi ran into Stephen at the 7th Heaven funeral in May, he was totally giddy, having just come from the set of Sunny. He said he'd been hanging with Danny DeVito all day and seemed thrilled to be shooting more eps.
Helen in Tampa, Florida: Smallville! Smallville! Smallville!
Aye, aye, Captain! I've just been told that The Daily Planet is getting a new editor in chief named Greg. We see quite a bit of him early in the season, and surprise, surprise, he's going to be the sexy, smart type.
Jeff from Concord, California: Any news on the seventh season of Smallville?
It has just been announced that Kara, aka Supergirl, joins the cast for the seventh season. Kara, who is Clark's cousin, has all of Clark's powers and is able to fly. Kara is also a potential love interest for Jimmy Olsen.
Andrew in Dublin, Pennsylvania: I'm confused. Is The Shield over, or is it coming back for another season?
They're shooting more eps, and I hear Vic may have a new lady in his life. Well, she's not exactly his lady, but he's attracted to an immigration agent named Olivia Murray this season. She sticks around to strut her stuff for quite a while.
Matty in Canton, Ohio: What's up with Weeds this year? Any news?
Mary-Kate Olsen's character is from Agrestic's new neighboring town, which they're calling Majestic. I'm hearing it's supposed to be the sort of drug-free community parents long for, but that's not gonna be the case for very long. Apparently there are several drug dealers vying to make Majestic their territory. One of those dealers, Renny, makes a nice, new addition to the show and creates quite a bit of drama for Nancy and company along the way.
Debbie in Sebastian, Florida: Why is it a good thing that Lucy Lawless' series Football Wives wasn't picked up?
Because she's now in negotiations to reprise her role as Three on Battlestar, and I still miss that crazy Amazonian robo-zealot. (P.S.: That is the nice way of saying it.)
Claudette in Detroit: I know it's early, but do you have any dish on season four of Medium?
Producers are working on getting Ms. Rosanna Arquette to do a guest spot on the show. Seeing as how her old show What About Brian is now off the air, I think the chances look good.
Camille in Vancouver: Do you hear anything more about The 4400?
The third party in play on the show is a group known as The Marked.
Iris from Pasadena, California: What's coming up for Marco on Degrassi?
I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news is Marco's boyfriend Dylan moves to Switzerland, but the good news is they are still together. I'm also told that Alex is in desperate need of money and turns to stripping in order to pay off debts.