The Buzz
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Hi there! Welcome to the 2nd edition of The Buzz on Laughingplace.com. Before we get to the news review I’d like to thank you all for the great feedback I received on the first edition. I know in the World of Disney sequels usually don’t measure up to the original. But I am proud to say that TV Animation has had no part in this column and only the original creative team worked on this follow-up. This is the Toy Story 2 of columns.

And now for news, this week the news is brought to you by the new Disney branded Bail Bonds. We are happy to welcome our new sponsor and hope that they show as good of a commitment to me as GE and AT&T showed to Walt Disney World.

Last week I reported on the announcement of the distribution of the 100 millionth fast pass. From the same department came the announcement of the 2,000 performance of La Nouba at Walt Disney World. Once again, who cares? Even though the show has been performed 2,000 times no one has yet understood what is going on during the show.

On ABC, Jimmy Kimmel Live has had trouble getting guests to appear on the show. Even though the show is filmed in the middle of Hollywood next to Disney’s El Capitan Theatre, even Disney stars have not wanted to appear. Baloo, who is currently starring in the Jungle Book 2, told Jimmy’s representatives to take a swim, and Piglet told Jimmy that he is too big for the new late night show. Jimmy has been able to get some Disney personalities. Condorman, a Light Magic Pixie, and the entire cast of Treasure Planet will be guests in upcoming weeks.

On the legal front, in a pretrial hearing Disney and Roger Rabbit creator Gary K. Wolf each won a legal battle before the trial. Upon hearing that the courts yielded a split decision, Roger actually took a toon saw and split himself in two. Roger is thrilled to be back in the spotlight after being out of the spotlight for several years. Baby Herman is convinced that the entire trial is just a publicity stunt for the upcoming DVD release of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Baby Herman hopes interest in the DVD will help him get cast in Miramax’s upcoming production of Guys and Dolls where he wants to be one of the dolls. Plans for a sequel to Who Framed Roger Rabbit have been put on hold while the company invests in continuing the popular Tron franchise with the upcoming release of Tron 2.0 for PCs.

ABC was in fourth place in the February sweeps period. This is the time when advertising rates are determined and have a huge impact on ABC’s financial performance. To turn things around ABC is looking at what went right and trying to find out ways to expand on that.

What worked: Michael Jackson Interview
Way to expand: Using Disney’s massive film library, ABC will continue airing the King of Pop with a week long marathon of the Disney classic Capitan EO.

What worked: Alias picked up steam and was renewed for another season as viewers try to figure out who is who.
Way to expand: If viewers like to try and figure out what people do, I propose a game show where contestants try and name the title of various Disney executives. Quick…What is Marty Sklar’s title?

What worked: 8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter is quickly becoming a comedy staple.
Way to expand: 8 Simple Rules for Ruining a Broadcast Network. This could be a reality show looking at ABC itself.

Of course ABC needs to stay away from what did not work. For example, I’m a Decent Program, Get Me Off of Here, would be a bad idea.

Excitement is building as the opening of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Disneyland Park approaches. The merchandise and food teams at the Resort have come up with some neat ideas to complement the new attraction. Visit a store at Disneyland Park soon and you will be able to purchase a Pooh Air Freshener, Spinning Pooh, and a hat with Pooh on it. Foods will be selling Pooh on a Stick, Pooh Biscuits, and Cup of Pooh. Of course Disney is not one to let an opportunity for a special merchandise event to pass by. The Pooh Enchanted Trial merchandise event will feature a panel discussion with famed legal analysts. After the panel discussion the guests will be invited to experience Mr. Toads Wild Ride because after the trial, everything goes to hell.

Well honestly I know that this edition is not as good as the last but I hope to make it up to you with this week’s useless Disney fact. Did you know that The Walt Disney Company generated $25.3 billion in revenue in 2001?

• List of all editions of The Buzz