Commentary

Gearing Up For Election TV

TV upfront presentations this year lack nothing. They even included a reference to reality-TV's DC rep.

Here is CBS’ late-night host Stephen Colbert at the network’s upfront presentation:

"CBS has very successful crime dramas. For some reason, Americans these days just really want to watch people who have obviously committed crimes go to jail for them." Zing!

Many late-night TV hosts, and other TV comedy personalities, have had much to say about Donald Trump since his election in 2016. Especially all those funny, and many wildly untrue things, he says in campaign speeches, interviews and on Twitter.

Now with a year and a half until the next election, we are waiting for more TV networks to amp up content -- not just late-night but scripted entertainment programming.  We welcome any references in TV comedies, dramas and -- perhaps closer to home for the President -- reality TV shows.

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Although the fireworks are yet to begin, name-calling probable rivals has begun for the Tweeter in Chief.

One can expect new media attacks in different areas, perhaps those President Trump hired and fired and now would call a “rat.”

Whew, such a tough boss. Guessing he needs to keep up with his previous TV persona on “The Apprentice” and “Celebrity Apprentice.”

How will TV handle more on-air visual antics, especially during any big presidential TV debate appearances? TV news producers must be prepping.

Working the media has long been a key ingredient to the Trump persona. This began in earnest in the early 1980s, when then wannabe billionaire Donald Trump talked up his assumed wealth. Forbes wasn't fooled -- it demoted him on its annual list of the richest of the rich.

And yes, Colbert, during the network’s live upfront presentation, was just warming up. He was taking a political practice swing at what is to come -- even using his own company’s travails, the Les Moonves scandal, to reference Trump’s issues.

"CBS sent me a thick document about how well we did this season. I didn't have time to read it all, so I just read Bill Barr's four-page summary. Turns out, Les Moonves? Totally exonerated. I did not see that coming. [Pause] There had to be one."

Wink. Wink. And no. There is plenty more to come.

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