Eric Deggans appears in the following:
On 'Tonight Show,' Jimmy Fallon Looks To Bridge Two Eras
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
When Jimmy Fallon first stepped up to lead a late-night talk show in 2009, he looked like a teenager trying to drive his dad's Ferrari: a good kid who was out of his depth.
But little of that hesitation was evident on Monday night, when the 39-year-old comic finally took ...
Redefining Hollywood: 'Diversity Makes More Money'
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
If you spend much time talking about diversity in Hollywood, it's an argument you'll hear often: that ethnic and gender diversity is nice, but it doesn't make a movie profitable or bring ratings to a TV show.
But researchers at the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at ...
All Work, No Respect: Twice Pushed Out, Jay Leno Moves On From 'Tonight'
Thursday, February 06, 2014
Not many people can say they got pushed out of a job twice while at the top of their game. But Jay Leno, the famously workaholic host of NBC's Tonight Show, is one who can.
By most measures, he should be one of the Peacock Network's most powerful stars; for ...
As NBC Prepares For A Late-Night Transition, Everyone Is On Message (So Far)
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
It felt like a rerun from a long-ago time, with a twist.
Once again, an NBC executive was facing a crowd of TV critic and reporters, saying nice things about Jay Leno just as he was leaving as host of The Tonight Show.
"It is no exaggeration to say that ...
Is There Only Room For One Black Film At The Top Of The Heap?
Thursday, January 16, 2014
First, let's acknowledge one thing: 12 Years a Slave has achieved something amazing and wonderful.
With nine Oscar nominations, it has proven a brutal story about the worst degradations of American slavery can attract the biggest accolades Hollywood has to offer.
In particular, seeing Steve McQueen within spitting distance of ...
When Tough Questions Make For Awkward Conversations
Monday, January 13, 2014
Nothing exposes you like asking a tough question.
Like a boxer extending a jab, you reveal yourself in the moment, stepping aggressively to a subject in a way that also makes your vulnerable. Handle the moment badly, and like an off-balance prizefighter, you might be the one hugging the canvas ...
Should NAACP Image Awards Only Go To African-Americans?
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Who should be eligible to receive an award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People? And if that definition becomes flexible, what does that do to the mission of the award itself?
That's a question worth asking as the NAACP Thursday unveiled a huge roster of ...
HBO's 'True Detective' Brings Big Stars To Tell A Brutal Tale
Friday, January 10, 2014
Woody Harrelson has a simple explanation for how he handled playing the same detective over a 17-year span of time for HBO's newest foray into quality TV, True Detective.
"I just took off my wig," joked Harrelson, sporting a beard and his naturally receding hairline for a press conference here ...
Conversation About 'SNL' And Diversity 'Just Getting Started'
Friday, January 10, 2014
It may seem, now that Saturday Night Live has hired a black female cast member and two black female writers, that the conversation about diversity on TV's most influential comedy show is over.
But it's just getting started.
That's because the surprise move by SNL executive producer Lorne ...
Is The Show Business 'Glass Closet' Collapsing?
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
How A Tweet On CBS' Mandela Misstep Sparked A Social Media Flare-Up
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
One more lesson on the power of social media:
On Tuesday, while watching a panel of experts dissect the memorial service for Nelson Mandela on CBS This Morning, I noticed the program chose Toto's "Africa" as the song to play over a montage of photos showing the rain-drenched ...
Zombies And Hope On 'The Walking Dead'
Monday, December 02, 2013
[Plot details regarding Sunday night's Walking Dead midseason finale follow. Proceed at your own risk.]
This is a strange thing to say about a TV show which ended its fall season Sunday with the death of two children, a gun battle, waves of flesh-eating zombies and a decapitation.
But it ...
TV Critic ProFile: 'Television [Is] A Window Into How American Society Works'
Friday, November 08, 2013
My name... Eric Deggans
Public radio employee since... Sept. 30, 2013
Public radio listener since... I owned my first car and could finally control the radio dial.
My job is... the coolest gig in the modern era, getting paid to watch television and tell people what I think about it ...
Medicinal Laughs: Could 'Daily Show' Sour Millennials On ACA?
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Problems with the rollout of the Affordable Care Act have been all over the news — and the not-quite news. Comedy Central's The Daily Show With Jon Stewart has been one news-ish outlet that hasn't been too kind in its coverage.
NPR TV critic Eric Deggans spoke with All Things ...
Arsenio Hall Is Back
Monday, September 09, 2013
Remix The Mayor; The Return of Arsenio Hall; Haim In Studio
Monday, September 09, 2013
In this episode: We introduce our latest remix challenge: Remix The Mayor. The race for New York City’s next mayor is nearing the home stretch -- and we’re asking you to turn the voices of our most famous politicians (past and present) into song. John Schaefer and producer Gretta Cohn share their remixes, and explain how you can participate.
Plus: TV critic Eric Deggans meditates on the return of Arsenio Hall to late night, and we revisit classic musical moments from the original Arsenio Hall Show with comedian and “ArScheerio Paul Show” Web series creator Paul Scheer.
And: Haim, the up-and-coming L.A. pop outfit led by three sisters, joins us to perform songs from their upcoming debut album.
After the Verdict
Friday, July 19, 2013
Last Saturday, George Zimmerman was found not guilty in the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Since then, everyone from protesters to politicians to pundits have weighed in. Brooke talks to Tampa Bay Times media critic Eric Deggans about the reaction and how the verdict has reignited discussions of race in the U.S.
Cable News and Trayvon Martin
Friday, July 12, 2013
When the shooting of Trayvon Martin became national news in 2012, it opened up a discussion about race and the criminal justice system in the United States. But since the trial of George Zimmerman began three weeks ago, coverage has taken a turn toward the sensational. Brooke talks to Tampa Bay Times media critic Eric Deggans about the evolving quality of coverage of the Trayvon Martin story.