Barred from television

Doug’s Place Flashback: I still remember the time Roseanne Barr performed — check that, butchered — “The Star-Spangled Banner”. What people usually don’t know, realize or recall is that happened before Game 2 of a Cincinnati Reds at San Diego Padres doubleheader. Read all about it: http://articles.latimes.com/1990-07-26/sports/sp-1255_1_roseanne-barr I lived in Dayton, Ohio, at the time …

Why aren’t there five W’s in the puzzle?

Okay, so in a previous entry, I advised newscast producers should avoid satellite media tours like the plague. Now, I’d like to expand that plea just a bit. Oh, great gatekeepers of the television news broadcasts, please do yourselves and your viewers this favor. Program any and all e-mails from out-of-town PR firms to go …

May TV co-workers, old and new, avoid certain PR tactics

Hi. Remember me? Long story short, 2017 was quite a busy one. Much of my free time was spent seeking new work and, ultimately, changing TV jobs. You can see the basic details at DougMorris.net if you’d like. The rest of the story is best saved for another blog entry or, perhaps better yet, my …

You Bet Your Exorcism?

An appearance on a classic quiz show with a comedy element, apparently, helped William Peter Blatty further his writing career. Blatty, who as you probably know by now passed away recently, was a contestant on the game show “You Bet Your Life”, hosted by comedy legend Groucho Marx. Early on, Blatty is introduced as an …

Make Elton John’s videos, compete for $10,000

Calling all filmmakers. Elton John and longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin are holding a contest for videos of John’s hits such as “Rocket Man”, “Tiny Dancer” and “Bennie and the Jets”. John and Taupin request the “Rocket Man” video feature animation, “Tiny Dancer” feature live action and “Bennie and the Jets” feature choreography. You have …