Entertainment Tonight is a daily television entertainment news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. The show is the most popular and longest-running entertainment news program, with its first broadcast on September 14, 1981, and was the first syndicated program distributed via satellite. It was announced on January 30, 2006, that Entertainment Tonight has been renewed through the 2007–2008 season, which would be the show's 27th season. In the fall of 2008, ET will become the third first-run syndicated program after Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! to broadcast in HDTV.
In its current form, Entertainment Tonight airs as half of a one-hour entertainment news block that also includes a spin-off, The Insider. Three versions of the show are compiled and made available to broadcasters: a "standalone" version, a version for stations that air The Insider just beforehand, and one for those that air The Insider immediately after.
ET Weekend (formerly known as Entertainment This Week), a one-hour weekend edition, is also produced. Originally a recap of the week's news, most or all episodes now have some sort of special theme. ET Radio Minute, a daily radio feature, is syndicated by Westwood One.
Overview
Background
Veteran television producer Al Masini was the program's creator, coming off his success with the 1970s television hit Solid Gold. Masini initially hired managers and producers from local news stations like original managing editor Jim Bellows, formerly of the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. Early on in the program's history, numerous discussions were held as producers, creators, and directors attempted to figure out what type of program ET would be and just how 'newsy' the program would get.
Andy Friendly was the show's original producer, establishing the program's unique look, sound, pace and reporting style. Friendly put together a diverse staff ranging from former rock roadies to veteran television reporters of the Vietnam War—some of whom continued to work on the show for over twenty years.
Current format and controversy
The early years of Entertainment Tonight followed more of a PM Magazine style of format. However, since the 1996-97 season, Entertainment Tonight switched from primarily covering behind-the-scenes coverage of the latest movies, music, and television shows to include stories based on sensationalism.
For example, ET has featured paid exclusive interviews with controversial and infamous newsmakers. Among those who have been interviewed by ET:
In 1996, actor George Clooney boycotted Entertainment Tonight to protest the presence of intrusive paparazzi after Hard Copy did an expose on his love life violating an agreement he had with Paramount, which produced the tabloid show as well as Entertainment Tonight.[5] In a letter he sent to Paramount announcing plans to boycott the program he wrote that he would encourage his friends to do the same.[6]
Although Clooney has since ended his boycott, Entertainment Tonight has continued to frequently broadcast video and photography taken by paparazzi stalkers of celebrities.
Hosts
Entertainment Tonight is currently hosted by Mary Hart and Mark Steines with several correspondents, including Jann Carl (who co-hosts the weekend edition with Kevin Frazier), Leonard Maltin, Steven Cojocaru, and Thea Andrews.
On October 9, 2006, Mary Hart renewed her contract with Entertainment Tonight.
Special correspondents
Entertainment Tonight also has special correspondents that report on special features for the show. Paula Abdul is a special correspondent for ET's coverage of American Idol, and Dancing with the Stars had correspondents for the second season (Tatum O'Neal) and third season (Lisa Rinna) and fifth season (Donny Osmond). Marcia Clark is a special correspondent for high profile trials and the red carpet at awards shows.
Lead hosts
- Ron Hendren, Marjorie Wallace and Tom Hallick 1981
- Ron Hendren and Dixie Whatley from 1981 to 1982
- Ron Hendren and Mary Hart from 1982 to 1984
- Mary Hart and Robb Weller from 1984 to 1986
- Mary Hart and John Tesh from 1986 to 1996
- Mary Hart and Bob Goen from 1996 to 2004
- Mary Hart and Mark Steines from 2004 to present
Previous co-hosts and correspondents
Entertainment Tonight in other countries
- Entertainment Tonight UK, hosted by Irish celebrity Amanda Byram, launched in January 2005 on satellite/cable pay TV channel Sky One (which additionally airs each US episode a day or two after its American showing).
- ET Canada, a Canadian version, was launched on the Global Television Network on September 12, 2005 with host Cheryl Hickey and lead correspondent Rick Campanelli; it airs back-to-back with the American version in most Canadian markets.
- Entertainment Tonight was produced by Australia's Nine Network during the 1990s. It was presented by Richard Wilkins and Marie Patane. Journalist Terry Willesee also guest hosted. The show was essentially a mix of locally produced stories, and ones imported from the main American program. It ended in 2000 and was replaced by the American version. The American show is now shown at 3 p.m. It also airs on the cable channel Arena with its sister program The Insider.
- Entertainment Tonight was aired in France under the name "Exclusif" and was hosted by Thierry Clopeau (1998), Emmanuelle Gaume (1998-2000), Flavie Flament (2000-2001), Valérie Bénaïm (2001-2002) and Frédéric Joly (1998-2002). There were several correspondents like Ness, Stéphanie Pillonca, Génie Godula and Jonathan Lambert.
- TV Fama,in Brazil, there is a version of Entertainment Tonight, which is called TV Fame, TV Fama in portuguese.
Competition
Despite stiff competition from Access Hollywood, Extra, and newcomer TMZ (and Showbiz Tonight and E! News on cable), Entertainment Tonight still remains one of the Top 10 highly-rated programs in the syndication ratings. As of the early stages of its twenty-seventh season, its daytime TV rankings have gone back and forth from fourth and fifth place, due to the competing ratings of the popular Judge Judy court show.[7][8]
Footnotes
- ^ 'ET' Ponies Up for Letourneau Wedding, Zap 2 It, April 28, 2005
- ^ Howard K. Stern Lived Off Anna Nicole Smith, Wild Starz, February 21, 2007
- ^ DID ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT PAY FOR STERN INTERVIEW?, ContactMusic.com, February 13, 2007
- ^ On the Heels of Anna Nicole's Death, Tragedy at The Insider, Jossip, February 8, 2007
- ^ Stardom is double-edged sword for private Clooney, CNN Showbiz, December 13, 1996
- ^ CLOONEY TUNE:THE 'ER' STAR TAKES ON TABLOID TV, Entertainment Weekly, November 8, 1996
- ^ Media Life Magazine - Making Whoopi: 'View' ratings are up
- ^ Syndication Ratings: Syndies Brighten as Days Darken - 10/24/2007 3:17:00 PM - Broadcasting & Cable
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