Through the Wire
by Linda Moss, Todd Spangler, Leslie Ellis and Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 1/13/2008 7:00:00 PM
BRIAN TO RYAN: 'DIDN’T HEAR THAT’
Ryan Seacrest, host on E! and of Fox’s American Idol, did a bit of improvising that threw Comcast CEO Brian Roberts for a loop during Roberts’s big keynote speech at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show last week in Las Vegas.
Seacrest, a contributor to E! News on the Comcast-owned channel, joined Roberts on stage to help demonstrate Fancast.com, Comcast’s relaunched entertainment Web site. One of Fancast’s new features is “Six Degrees,” which shows the connections between entertainment personalities. Roberts was doing a “Six Degrees” on Seacrest, and Justin Timberlake popped up.
“Ah yes, 'Dick In a Box,’ ” Seacrest said, referring to the Emmy winning — and obviously vulgar — skit Timberlake and Andy Samberg performed on Saturday Night Live last year.
Seacrest’s unscripted remark seemed to catch the Comcast bigwig off guard. “I didn’t hear that,” Roberts rejoined, as the audience roared.
Seacrest then went back on script, and explained his rather tenuous connection to Timberlake: Seacrest has hosted the Emmys, and Timberlake has won an Emmy.
“Let’s move on to the next one,” Roberts deadpanned.
More awkwardness awaited from other special guests. Toward the end of the keynote, Roberts declared himself a big fan of on-demand TV, including HBO and its show Flight of the Conchords. Cue an appearance from the band of the same name — New Zealanders Bret McKenzie and Jermaine Clement — doing their song “It’s Business Time.” That’s the one where Clement sings about how “Wednesday night is the night that we make love” and all the ritual preparations that go into it, such as brushing teeth (“That’s foreplay”) and getting naked, “except for my socks.” Finally, “It’s business time!”
“Wow. That was pretty crazy, and lots of fun,” the Brioni-suited Roberts said afterward, pausing for laughter. “Ultimately everything we do at Comcast is about bringing the best entertainment to you. We’re ready to get down to business. And as the boys said, it’s business time. Have a great show!”
MEET COMCAST, THE LIZARD
First he was put out of his home. He seemed down and out when he was discovered living in a Comcast fiber enclosure in Naples, Fla. Now, he’s a local celebrity, adored daily by hundreds.
It sounds like another example of the American dream come true. We just hope the lizard appreciates it.
Yes, that enclosure dweller is a bearded lizard, and after he was found by a Comcast technician during regular service, the reptile was turned over to the Naples Zoo. The zoo named the critter “Comcast” and he is now a featured part of Planet Predator, a daily entertainment and educational show sponsored by the cable company.
The operator has integrated the wildlife show into its local public-affairs campaign. For instance, the operator recently invited about 200 elementary school kids from the local Immokalee Community School to the zoo to see “Comcast” and his other co-stars.
Not bad for an immigrant. Bearded lizards are not native to Florida. The species is from Australia, and Comcast is believed to have been a cast-off pet.
AT CES, CARUSO LOOKS AHEAD
CSI: Miami star David Caruso was a notable presence at G4’s “Best of the Best” party at CES. What drew him to the land of gizmo geeks? He told a Wire correspondent he was there to promote a cool new “advanced video distribution.” Really, what is it? Ask Frank, he replied.
“Frank” handed over a business card for a company called Lexicon Digital Communications. The Web site is www.lexicondigital.tv. Go there, and you’ll see a wordless three-and-a-half-minute video with Caruso, frequently in dark sunglasses, and some other guys who fly to Vegas in a private jet, visit the Las Vegas Convention Center and tour other city sights. Then they don their glasses on the tarmac, re-board the jet and fly off, and the words “Thanks, Michelle” appear on screen. An e-mail message to the site wasn’t immediately returned last week.
Remember, you heard it here first.
Roberts Snubs Wireless in CES Address
01/08/2008Comcast Steers Toward 1,000 HD 'Choices'
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