Teeth on the Dial - Channel Flipping (aka bunch of links)

• One of my favourite shows My Name Is Earl was rejected before it made it to air by every major network including NBC. Perseverance paid off and once new management moved in at NBC, they were accepted and became a hit comedy. Fox probably would have under-promoted it and cancelled it by now.

Link:For This Comedy Writer, No Is Never an Answer - New York Times

• As a practicing insomniac, I have been watching the CBS Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He is a terrific host: funny, self-depreciating, genial and genuine. It was a truly emotional night when Craig made his Monday show a tribute to his dad, who had passed away the previous night. Craig used his show to effectively hold a wake for his dad and, with his voice cracking, shared memories of his dad. He paints a "poignant and funny" picture of his father that makes you want to know him. You can watch the 15 minute monologue that is such a sweet dedication to a father here: CBS - Late Late Show Comedy and click on January 30, 2006.
  

Link: Craig Ferguson's Must-Weep TV (Entertainment Weekly)

• Saturday Night Live this week features Steve Martin, hosting for the 14th time and musical guest Prince. I'll do the usual - tape it and fast forward to the highlights. I've always been a fan of Steve Martin, despite the dumbness of movies like "Cheaper by the Dozen" and the upcoming "Pink Panther". For some good and funny Steve Martin, rent The Jerk, a wild and funny movie.

Link: Steve Martin and Prince on SNL - TV Squad

• It's no surprise that child actors can turn into screwed-up adults. Time and again, they end up as tragic fodder for E! True Hollywood Stories. When a show ends, its the equivalent of putting the child through a divorce, unemployment and expulsion all at the same time. The latest stories involve Jodie Sweetin, the precocious middle sister on Full House, who had a fricking methamphetamine habit. The intervention that saved her life was held by Bob Saget, The Olsen Twins and John Stamos, which would have been surreal even without the drugs.

Link: ABC News: 'Full House' Sweetheart Talks About Meth Addiction

• And then there's the little sister from sitcom Family Matters. Yeah, she did porn and told Oprah about it.

Link: Biggest Mistakes: Hollywood Dream Dashed