Conan O'Brien's switch to TBS a welcome sight say TV Producers

 The Late Night Talk Show Landscape on Cable is a Welcome addition say TV Talk and Magazine Bookers at media workshop


By George S. Mc Quade III
West Coast Bureau Chief

“The landscape of television is changing so much, especially with Conan O’Brien now going to Turner Broadcasting System (TBS),” said Siobhan Schanda, talent producer, “Chelsea Lately,” at a recent Entertainment Publicists Professional media workshop on TV talk and magazine shows at the International Cinematographer (ICG) Union Local 600 in Hollywood (4-15-10).

“You know now that we are playing with the big boys, they’re paying attention to us and we’re part of that mix now, said Schanda. “It is interesting so see how the late night shows landscape is changing. Our demographics are young female and young people across the board (18+). We have the audience that goes to films the first week of release. We have the audience that buys music and books. You might think its great being on another late night network show, but late night is changing and the habits are changing,” She said.


Chelsea Lately is an American late night comedy talk show hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler on E! The show debuted on July 16, 2007, and is produced by Handler's production company, Borderline Amazing Productions. It is taped in Los Angeles, California, and it has been extended through 2012. In American markets the show airs at 11:00 p.m. but is recorded at 3:30 p.m. the same day. Handler was previously the host of The Chelsea Handler Show, a short-lived sketch comedy show that also aired on E!

Publicists getting on the show get a wide ranch of exposure, “as our show airs at 11:00 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. and in a two to three week cycle there are additional airings,” said Schanda.


“I’m thrilled that Conan is on Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), because it really legitimizes what we do for our shows,"said Velasquez, G4TV, talent executive. "To have a big name like that coming to cable, we welcome a big name like that on TBS.,”  “It puts a spotlight on all of us."

“G4-TV is a little bit more new than E! Entertainment E! has a larger reach, but we are growing very fast,” said Velasquez. “G4 was created in 2002 and merged with Tech TV in 2004, a show about computers, and Attack of the Show came from them. It was originally called,” Screen Savers”, a show about how to fix your computer or the latest technology.”

“We do movie reviews and even though we don’t do too much on 'Twilight,' because it seems more female, it is a movie that is all over and one you have to recognize. Although, many of our viewers said they were not big fans of 'Twilight', they admit it was one of the biggest movies that they recognized.”

“We have a cold open, and we also do some bits on movies, too”, said Siobhan Schanda. Chelsea and our team of writers on ‘Roundtable’ have become well known for the bits they do as well. Their parodies of different things”


“G-4-TV’s core audience is male, most Internet users and people who are seeking information and use the latest technology,” said Velasquez. “They actually tune into our show, because we try to stay as hip and as current as possible. They use our show to find out new things.

“There are also people who watch movies within the first two weeks of release. They are the ones who watched our special on the iPad last week, because we cover that technology,” he said. “Sometimes we run exclusive trailers on movies coming out, and I have to make sure they’re not on the web a week or two beforehand, because our fans are smart enough to know where to look for trailers on the web. We usually play our trailers about he same time as the web.”


How to pitch clients

“I love getting email pitches, and something in writing so I have time to look at it,” said Schanda. “A follow up phone is great, because we all know how many emails we get. It’s not a matter of not responding or not wanting to, but we just get caught up in taping the show, so by the end of the day we may not get to all the emails. I love to hear people’s voices. If we are not interested in your pitch, we will get back to you and let you know as I don’t want to waste your time, or string you along.”


Schanda added, “send video links and as much information as possible. It just helps us in pitching your client or project.”

Chelsea Lately works several weeks in advance and has only one interview spot per show. “So I encourage people to reach out as soon as possible,” she said. “It’s never too soon to get something on our radar.” To reach Siobhan Schanda email: sschanda@comcastnets.com.

“I would say the same thing that email is the best way to pitch us,” said Velasquez of G4TV. “I try to get back to everyone, and if we don’t, it is because I am getting so many emails or we might be waiting for someone down the line, who is a perfect fit for our demo (demographics). If you know our demo, it always helps with the pitch. I try to get the best angle possible to make it work. I have no problem explaining why we can’t use your pitch if publicists don’t take it too badly. I only have four slots to fill and I like to book a couple of weeks in advance.” To reach Nando velasquez email: nvelasquez@comcastnetworks.com.


MAYO PR - "We don't guarantee media, we just get it!"