Ed Martin

Ed Martin's Upfront Reviews and Ratings

As Upfront week began I couldn't help but wonder if the annual extravaganza of presentations and parties has any real value anymore. Given that everyone attending them already knows almost everything that will be announced, why would the networks want to continue spending vast fortunes to produce them?

Basic Cable Stand Outs at TCA: FX, USA, Syfy, Nat Geo and More - Ed Martin Live

Looking back over the many presentations by basic cable networks at the Winter 2013 Television Critics Association tour, it's clear that FX once again towered over the rest, offering a session that rivaled in size, scope and news value not only pay-cable competitors HBO and Showtime but broadcasters CBS and The CW, as well.

PBS at TCA: Mel Brooks, Jeremy Irons, Marlo Thomas and More - Ed Martin Live

PBS previewed its upcoming programming during the final two days of presentations at the Winter 2013 Television Critics Association tour, and for those of us who have been here from the beginning it was as if the best had been saved for last. That's not to say that there haven't been exciting sessions with major talent throughout the tour, but there was something about the combination of press conferences with a very funny and at times surprisingly touching Mel Brooks on Monday and an unexpectedly funny and commanding Jeremy Irons on Tuesday that somehow eclipsed much of what had come before.

The CW at TCA: Mark Pedowitz on the Difficulties with Tracking the Elusive 18-34 Demographic - Ed Martin Live

Pasadena, CA -- The CW's day at the Winter 2013 Television Critics Association tour on Sunday was modest, to say the least, with only three panels that morning. But they nevertheless made for a productive and impressionable few hours. The day began with a session with CW President Mark Pedowitz, which marked the first time the network has included a press conference with its top executive at a Winter Television Critics Association tour since 2007. It was followed by a panel for the "Sex and the City" prequel "The Carrie Diaries" – one of the best new series of the 2012-13 season – and one for "Cult," a disturbing psycho-drama about a killer who dangerously influences young viewers of a television program via a show-within-a-show that is potentially controversial in light of recent tragedies involving mentally unstable young people and subsequent concerns about media content

CBS' Nina Tassler on TV Violence: "Nothing That is On the Air is Inappropriate." - Ed Martin Live

Pasadena, CA -- Not surprisingly, the first question directed toward CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler during her session Saturday at the Winter 2013 Television Critics Association tour was about her network's approach to responsible programming in the aftermath of the mass murders last year in Aurora and Newtown. Violence in the media has been the dominant topic at this tour, eclipsing just about everything else.

TCA Surprise: ABC is Looking for Older Viewers (for Its Freshman Drama "Nashville") - Ed Martin Live

Pasadena, CA -- There was nothing wrong with ABC's very busy and productive opening day at the Winter 2013 Television Critics Association tour that a panel for its struggling freshman drama "Nashville" wouldn't have fixed. Not that there weren't plenty of panels for new and returning network series, along with very welcome sessions for the popular ABC Family shows "Bunheads" and "Pretty Little Liars," the latter arguably a bigger and more important series than many of the scripted shows supported not only by ABC but by the other broadcast networks throughout the tour.

FX President John Landgraf on Violence in Entertainment and Responsible Programming - Ed Martin Live

Pasadena, CA – Violence in entertainment and the responsibilities that come with the scheduling of adult content were very much top of mind yesterday morning during a session with FX Networks President and General Manager John Landgraf at the Winter 2013 Television Critics Association tour. (FX Networks, it should be noted, remains the only basic cable network to present a session with its top executive at every Winter and Summer TCA tour.)

Fox at TCA: Violence in "The Following" Causes Concern; "Idol" Divas Dispel Rumors - Ed Martin

Will the horror of a serial killer and his murderous minions and the tantalizing possibility of an occasional diva dust-up help Fox rebound from an utterly unremarkable fall season? These were among the questions hanging in the air yesterday as Fox began its day at the Winter 2013 Television Critics Association tour.

NBC at TCA: From Worst to First - Ed Martin

Pasadena, CA -- In a dramatic turnaround from its presentation one year ago, NBC at the 2013 Winter Television Critics Association tour came across as a network flush with success. Its message was one of uncommonly swift improvement, not only from last January but from six months ago, when the presentation of its fall lineup at the Summer TCA tour, while solid, gave no hint of the extraordinary advances to come.

An Emmy Winner, an Oscar Winner and a Porn Star Brighten Cable's Second Day at TCA - Ed Martin

The second cable day at the Winter 2013 Television Critics Association tour started with a terrific little event: An informal (and very early) breakfast with the four stars of TV Land's "Hot in Cleveland." Mingling with Betty White, Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick proved to be the highlight of the day, at least for those of us who have spent years watching these ladies in a number of classic television sitcoms.