Andrew Firestone - Bachelor #3
TV ClubHouse: Archive: The Bachelor / Bachelorette:
The Bachelor III:
Andrew Firestone - Bachelor #3
Tabbyking | Monday, April 28, 2003 - 09:32 pm     ABC Weak at Season's End By BILL CARTER Like an overambitious miler who churns up the track on the first lap only to hit the wall in the homestretch, ABC finds itself gasping toward this television season's finish line, winded after a promising start. A combination of weak dramas, second-rate reality shows, questionable scheduling maneuvers and a surge by the Fox network broke ABC's surprising fall momentum and pushed it back behind its three main rivals for most of the weeks since January. With a month left in the season, it is likely to land in fourth — and last — place again, both in total viewers and among those ages 18 to 49, whom advertisers crave and the network uses as its benchmark of success. Which half of ABC's split-personality season shows up in the fall could have a significant effect on the comeback of the network's parent, the Walt Disney Company. ABC's financial health is so important that Disney's chairman, Michael Eisner, has said fixing the network is the company's top priority. ABC's entertainment executives do not consider the network fixed yet. "There is still a ton left to do," Lloyd Braun, the chairman of ABC Entertainment, said. But they can find encouraging signs from this season. Although the network is likely to finish behind NBC, CBS and Fox, its ratings so far have gone up more than any other network's, while the median age of its viewers has gone down. (The network did have the Super Bowl helping it out this year, but will not have it in 2004.) And pointing to a batch of comedies, notably "According to Jim" and "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter," the executives are claiming a more solid foundation of shows on which to build a schedule for the coming season than at the same time last year. "I feel like we met our goal: We had to stop the bleeding." Mr. Braun said. Just three years ago, ABC finished first in the ratings, thanks to the phenomenon of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." But that success proved short-lived and even destructive. ABC's decision to broadcast the show as many as four times a week wore out viewers. And believing the network had a multiyear hit on its hands, executives cut back on developing other shows. The result was a shock to the bottom line. In Disney's 2000 fiscal year, operating profits at its broadcasting properties, which include the ABC network and local television stations, reached nearly $1 billion; last year, the broadcast division lost $36 million. In the fall, however, ABC surprised the industry and its corporate managers at Disney by grabbing second place in the November ratings sweep among viewers 18 to 49 years old. And with the early success of several comedies as well as the continuing strength of its reality franchise, "The Bachelor," ABC appeared to have quickly rebuilt two nights, Tuesday and Wednesday. While ABC and Disney executives tried to keep expectations of a turnaround low, the tenor of public comments brightened. Instead of talk about stabilization, Mr. Eisner said in a conference call with investors in January, "We've turned the tide." The optimism was premature. Since January, ABC has finished fourth in the prime-time ratings far more weeks than it has first or second. "We got a little greedy," Mr. Braun said. "As the year went on we didn't have enough bullets in the gun. November was a blessing and a curse. We weren't a second-place network." The biggest disappointment was the failure to develop any successful dramas for the 10 p.m. time slot, a crucial time because late local newscasts follow those shows. The 10 p.m. issue has stood out on Wednesday, where programs could benefit from following ABC's highest-rated show, "The Bachelor." The first entry there, "MDs," was a flop. ABC then plugged the slot with other reality shows, like "I'm a Celebrity — Get Me Out of Here!" and "Celebrity Mole," which drew marginal ratings. The network seemed to be squandering an opportunity. Both CBS and Fox have used their reality powerhouses, "Survivor" and "American Idol," to help turn shows like "C.S.I" and "24" into hits. One logical choice for ABC might have been to move the Sunday drama "Alias" into the post-"Bachelor" time slot. While that was considered, Mr. Braun said the network could not risk undoing its Sunday night lineup. Besides, it had a plan for Sunday. It wanted "Alias" to lead into "Dragnet." At the same time, it needed to replace "Monday Night Football" when its season ended. "The Practice," ABC's long-running Sunday series, was to be the cornerstone for the night. Continued 1 | 2 | Next>> _______________________________________________ i didn't see a need to go on to page 2! i like the line about 'questionable scheduling maneuvers' myself! |
Happymom | Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:33 am     I just saw him on Regis & Kelly. He looked younger than he does on the show. He said he did not make a love connection with Cristina and that she was "a bit much" (in response to Regis asking if Cristina was too aggressive). He had positive things to say about Kirsten and Jen. Re: Tina, he said she is a work in progress and has been a big cheek turner. (When he goes to kiss her, she turns her head so he only kisses her cheek.) |
Kimmo | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 04:10 pm     Just wondering what people in general think of Andrew as the Bachelor, outside of the episode-to-episode views...While I think he seems nice and non-creepy (unlike 1 and 2), his sleepy eye and Keanu voice really make it hard for me to watch or listen to him. He is somewhat cute, but the resemblance to various has-been "Teen Beat" pinups, is also somehow irritating. And sometimes they put way too much makeup on him, it makes me wonder if he has really bad skin. The Pan-Cake was really caked on last week in a couple of scenes. Does this post make me seem really shallow? |
Marymc | Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 04:17 pm     just once, i'd like to see a "real man"....not some boy. |
Kimmo | Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 12:21 am     I didn't get to see tonight's episode, but from what people posted, he sounded quite creepy-- But maybe just out of total immaturity. 27 is practically a boy, especially now that people consider 40 the "new 30"! It would be nice to see an older, "actual" man. I find it hard to believe Andrew is even interested in actually getting married, he looks so boyish (and seems so awkward). |
Bracken | Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 05:19 am     Kimmo - I read your post last night before the show about the Keanu voice. Then I watched the show and and you are so right! Then, was reminded of how dumb I think Keanu Reeves is (cute, however) and began attributing these qualities to Andrew. Now my opinion of him is diminished -- thanks alot, just kidding. Andrew did much last night to help bring about this change in my opinion of him, he slept with (or at least we are led to believe that) all three women, and then he was pretty egotistical at the end with poor Tina. We have to remember, after all, that these young women aren't actresses (well, Kirsten, maybe) and have put themselves in a very vulnerable position. I think she handled herself pretty well for a 22 year old. My bet is he picks Kirsten in the end. If he does, he certainly won't be listening to his father's advice about how he loves the way his wife treats other people. I didn't tape it (had West Wing on VCR1 and Angel on VCR2) and became distracted (phone call -- when will my family learn?) so I didn't notice the interaction with Jen and Kirsten. Can someone fill me in? Did Kirsten have as smug a look on her face as I think she must have? She is, after all, "the best one" her words. Not the best for him, mind you, just "the best one." You got to admit, she is confident. |
Misspoufy | Friday, May 16, 2003 - 05:11 am     Saw Andrew on GMA this morning, (West Coasters it was on here in Florida during the 7:30 segment.)He says he is definitely in love, was in love only with one woman, called her by a code name "Lola" (Charlie Gibson guessed this was a middle name...do we know Kirsten and Jen's middle names? Andrew didn't verify it was but didn't say no either)Said the typical, separation has been hard..but DID say they talk on the phone three or four times A DAY...I'd say they're pretty smitten with one another. |
Fabnsab | Friday, May 16, 2003 - 06:28 am     Then we know it has to be Jen. Who can handle Kirstens voice over the phone 3-4 times a day? Not even Andrew! |
Jedisan | Friday, May 16, 2003 - 02:15 pm     LOL Fab! |
Fabnsab | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 12:02 pm     Has anyone gotten the idea that, through this whole process, Andrew is just there to promote his winery? It seems like a genius thing to do- 6 full weeks of free Firestone Vineyard exposure. I mean, even the glasses were etched with the logo during the picnic scene. The other night while watching, my friend asked if I have seen the wine sold anywhere locally. I bet their numbers will skyrocket now just because it has name recognition. I know Firestone is already a name but who knew they made wine? Sure as hell not me and I put together wine lists for a living! I always look into motives for these folks to be on these shows. I thought Aaron wanted to promote his new restaurant and I do believe Andrew, as sales manager, did this to promote the family biz. |
Crazydog | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 12:22 pm     Yes, I have no doubt he was trying to promote his winery. I bet a lot more people would buy Firestone wine now that they've seen the show. "OMG I'm drinking his wine, EEK!" |
Tabbyking | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 01:35 pm     well, as i said earlier, "i hope this all doesn't 'blow up' in his face" ... so they made those old tires into wine now, did they? just kidding! my sister-in-law works for a major wine company in napa and she will be here in two weeks. i'll ask her all about firestone wines...and report back to you! i have been up there dozens of times and have never heard of the firestone brand... |
Crazydog | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 02:05 pm     Might be because Firestone is made in the Santa Barbara Valley, or whatever it's called. I swear I've heard of it but I am probably confusing it with some other label, like Ironstone. I wonder how good their wine is. Oh no, I hope I don't turn into one of those curious consumers. |
Fabnsab | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 03:02 pm     Precisely my point! we're all curious now. I think I will go search the web and see if anyone sells it online...I'll keep you posted! Shoot, I had a wine buying handbook, one that listed every single darn wine and their rankings and I just gave it to a friend who is going to Brazil to open a wine bar. DRAT |
Bob2112 | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 03:08 pm     Firestone Vineyard Link Adam Firestone talks about Andrew being the Bachelor under the Breaking News link. |
Fabnsab | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 03:11 pm     Ok, I went straight to the horse's mouth. If this link was posted, I missed it so sorry for the duplicate info if it was. http://www.firestonewine.com/ http://www.shopfirestone.com/store/index.html http://www.andrewfirestone.com/ I would love to know the % of sales hike since the show aired. |
Texannie | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 03:17 pm     Here is the winery's webpage.. http://www.firestonewine.com/ thougth this was funny!! Dear Cellar Family Members and Winery Friends: The winery is taking a lot of calls and emails – most of them understandably incredulous – about Andrew’s latest venture. For those who haven’t heard, Andrew was selected to be the next “Bachelor” on the popular ABC Television show that will commence airing on March 26. Know that contrary to the story text, there were plenty of reservations within the family. For those that have seen the show, the reasons are self-evident. For those who might watch the next series, know that we too will be suffering large intakes of breath during most of the process. Many in the family are understandably nervous about the fairy tale components that the marketers are using to hype the show. At our core, we remain grape growers and winemakers as always. As most of you know, this family is anything but conventional, and so the eccentricity of this approach did engender some appeal. If our parents could meet at the stage door of a ballet theatre, then why not on a television studio? In Andrew’s case, it seemed entirely appropriate. He concluded that life would be all the spicier for having attempted this thing and especially dull if he had overlooked it. Filming is complete and now the process is in the hands of television marketers. Andrew reports that the ladies he met were simply amazing, ending any reservations he had held. The winery will not be doing anything different as a result of the show. We have sold every bottle made in the past 30 years and we will sell every bottle in the next 30 years and more, long after the show is forgotten. We have culled out information on Andrew’s role at the winery in order to better direct fans of the show. Please call or reply with any questions. Regards, Adam Firestone Adam@FirestoneWine.com a reivew of their Chardonnay http://www.parthe.net/wineclub/wine8.html |
Texannie | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 03:36 pm     guess we were all searching at the same time! LOL |
Denecee | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 03:47 pm     I'm not really into wine but I did have some Firestone wine once and it was good. I was working down in Carpinteria which is not far from Santa Barbara and the Firestone wine was offered at the restaurant we went to. |
Tabbyking | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 04:14 pm     i wasn't saying the wine was from napa, just that it seems i would have heard of it. my sister-in-law gets wine from all over, so i'll see if she has had it or can get it. |
Fabnsab | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 04:36 pm     This shocks me that the great sleuthy tvchers we are, we haven't all looked this info up already. It took us till the end of the show to do it...We're slipping! btw, is sleuthy a word? lol |
Texannie | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 05:15 pm     just so intranced in the show??????????? LOL |
Tabbyking | Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 11:15 pm     sluethy...hmmm...yeah, i think it means 'super, sexy sleuth'. either that or it's a slueth who's getting long in the toothy! |
Fabnsab | Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 09:22 am     Lol, Tabby! |
Meli456 | Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 12:09 pm     Here's my experience with the Firestone Winery... About three or four years ago, my hubby's best friend was working with the Audubon Society assisting Perigrine Falcons. His job was to camp out and feed, count, and whatever else he did with the birds. Anyways, he was camping out at the Firestone Winery because they had allowed the birds to nest on their vineyards. So, our family went to visit and camped out for a couple nights in the vineyards. I didn't like it, there were too many wild animals at night!! I heard something big sniffing at my tent!! But I had forgotten that it was the same winery until I saw the picture in the first episode of the big yellow house. We toured their tasting room and met some of the people there, but I didn't taste the wine. Its funny, cause I couldn't remember the name of the winery and I asked my hubby if it was Firestone. He said that was it, because we remembered having the whole tire discussion and making jokes about it. |
|