Infinitely cooler than those pastoral Teletubbies, sassier than Dora the Explorer, and more human than most of the animated heroes and heroines of kidvid, “Olivia” is the new star of kids TV.
“Olivia” brings illustrator Ian Falconer’s literary heroine to life in bright CG animation, at 9:30 a.m. weekdays on Nickelodeon. Olivia, the piglet who is 6O years old, has a boundless imagination that takes her on fabulous adventures to Egypt, outer space and beyond.
The fashionista usually sports her trademark red-and-white striped tights.
She’s a font of wisdom and life lessons. “Rule of life No. 42. If it weren’t for mothers, little brothers would be very stinky.”
Dog days
They call it the Oscars of the canine world, the Westminster Dog Show.
This weekend and into next week, Westminster won’t only draw significant ratings, it will cue us to replay an old video favorite, Christopher Guest’s “Best in Show” from 2000.
The 133rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show takes over Madison Square Garden on Monday and Tuesday — the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the United States, one year behind the Kentucky Derby.
In advance of the show, a fawning CNBC documentary looks at what it takes, financially and otherwise. Noting that Americans spend $43 billion a year on their pets, CNBC’s “American Originals: Westminster Dog Show,” Sunday at 8 p.m., will have enthusiasts drooling.
From medical insurance for dogs, a growth industry, to the billion-dollar industry of pet food, toys, clothing and other accessories, the profile by Trish Regan chronicles America’s obsession with pooches. Last year’s winner, Uno the beagle, dined on sliced steak on a silver platter at Sardi’s after winning.
“Once you humanize an animal like a dog, you have to treat it like a little child,” says a trend watcher, noting double-digit increases in pet spending despite a downward spiral everywhere else in the tortured economy.
Trainers can’t put a dollar value on the thrill of winning, but they do toss figures around. Just “campaigning a dog,” which means buying advertising in specialty magazines, requires tens of thousands of dollars. Add on trainers, travel and the sequined gowns the women sport as they trot around the ring.
The pageantry is easily parodied. Guest’s movie is duly referenced in the documentary.
That movie “was very kind; it could have been brutal,” says Westminster historian William Stifel.
Deadly serious judges discuss puppy perfection. Clips attest to the crazy electricity that runs through contestants at the moment of selection. New this year: the Dogue de Bordeaux competing in the Working group.
Locally, the Westminster competition will be broadcast Monday at 6 p.m. on USA and at 7 p.m on CNBC. On Tuesday, USA will air all three hours.
Palladia
The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will air Sunday on CBS, locally at 7 p.m. on Channel 4.
Palladia, MTV Networks’ high-definition music channel, available in the Denver area on Comcast digital (channel 671) as well as satellite providers Dish and DirecTV, celebrates the Grammys with a weekend of HD music programming featuring nominated artists, tonight through Sunday.
Premieres include “MTV Live: Kings of Leon” and “Soundstage: Robert Plant.” Also look for repeats of “VH1 Storytellers” featuring Kid Rock, Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z, and “Soundstages” featuring John Mayer, Martina McBride and Sheryl Crow.
Palladia began life as MHD in Vail before being “rebranded” by Viacom/MTV, based in New York.
Remembering Anna Nicole Smith
Here’s what they mean by maximizing profit potential: E! is devoting a week of programming to what it calls the “legacy” of Anna Nicole Smith, the blond bombshell and former reality show star who gave E! ratings in life and may now do so again in death. The memories, the tragedy, the modeling jobs. Today at 6 p.m. on E!
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
