NBCUniversal Upfronts 2023: Seth Meyers Jokes About Paramount Sale, Peacock's Losses, and Unexpected Casting Choices

New York City, New York United States of America
NBCUniversal committed to delivering high-quality content and attracting advertisers through innovative programming and partnerships
NBCUniversal Upfronts 2023 held at Radio City Music Hall
New drama 'The Hunting Party' announced starring South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and the dog from 'Frasier'
Paramount up for sale with Skydance and Sony/Apollo Global Management as potential buyers
Peacock's losses joked about by Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers served as host
NBCUniversal Upfronts 2023: Seth Meyers Jokes About Paramount Sale, Peacock's Losses, and Unexpected Casting Choices

In the world of media and advertising, the NBCUniversal Upfronts is an annual event where networks showcase their upcoming programming to potential advertisers. This year's event took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with Seth Meyers serving as the host. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation as executives from various media companies presented their latest offerings.

One of the first topics Seth addressed was Paramount, which is currently up for sale. Two entities, Skydance and a Sony/Apollo Global Management contingent, are in the running to buy the company. Meyers joked about being one of the finalists but did not reveal any further details.

Another topic that received attention was NBCUniversal's streaming service, Peacock. Seth poked fun at the platform for losing money and not revealing a profitable date yet. He also mentioned that Paramount+ and Disney+ have already proven to be successful in the streaming market.

During the presentation, NBC announced a new drama called 'The Hunting Party' starring South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and the dog from 'Frasier.' The audience was intrigued by this unexpected casting choice.

Seth also made jokes about Fox News holding their upfronts at a lower Manhattan courtroom, and Netflix being in the market for advertising space. He even mentioned that NBC's 'Law & Order: SVU' had been renewed for a 25th season, with criminals from Season 1 now eligible for parole.

The event was filled with laughter and light-hearted banter, but the underlying message was clear: NBCUniversal is committed to delivering high-quality content to its audience and attracting advertisers through innovative programming and partnerships.

As the upfronts came to a close, Seth thanked everyone for attending and reminded them that 'every branding opportunity is an outback.' The room erupted in applause, marking the end of another successful NBCUniversal Upfront.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • It is unclear if Disney+ or Paramount+ have proven to be more successful in the streaming market
  • The exact financial details of Paramount's potential sale were not disclosed in the article

Sources

96%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Inside the NBCUniversal Upfront: Snoop Dogg, Penguins and a Top Secret ‘Wicked’ Trailer

The Hollywood Reporter Mikey O'Connell Monday, 13 May 2024 18:35
  • Unique Points
    • Four people were scolded for phone use during the Wicked trailer screening.
    • NBCU attempted to sell advertisers on Oppenheimer, Peacock originals, and the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris.
  • Accuracy
    • ]Seth Meyers made jokes about Fox News during NBCU's upfront presentation.[
    • NBC sells ads for its shows at the upfronts, but Late Night is sold out back.
    • Paramount is one of two finalists for Seth Meyers.
    • Peacock requires a large investment to make a billion dollars.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

81%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Seth Meyers Skewers Peacock, Paramount and Linda Yaccarino During NBCUniversal Upfront Set

The Hollywood Reporter Alex Weprin Monday, 13 May 2024 17:00
  • Unique Points
    • Seth Meyers returned to the stage of Radio City Music Hall for NBCUniversal’s upfront presentation after the Writers Guild strike derailed his annual routine last year.
    • Paramount is one of two finalists for Seth Meyers.
    • The Hunting Party is a new drama on NBC starring South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and the dog from Frasier.
  • Accuracy
    • Peacock requires a large investment to make a billion dollars.
    • NBC sells ads for its shows at the upfronts, but Late Night is sold out back.
    • Deal or No Deal was moved to an island and the ratings improved.
  • Deception (50%)
    The author, Alex Weprin, makes several jokes throughout the article that can be considered editorializing and emotional manipulation. He uses sarcasm and humor to express his opinions about various topics such as Fox News, Paramount, advertising, Peacock, NBC shows like Deal or No Deal and Law & Order: SVU. These statements are not facts but rather the author's interpretation of events or situations.
    • Peacock continues to prove that the easiest way to make a billion dollars, is to spend eight.
    • Not every branding opportunity is unique. Sometimes it’s just a regular old branding opportunity.
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The article contains a few informal fallacies and inflammatory rhetoric. Seth Meyers' jokes during NBCUniversal's upfront presentation contained hyperbole and exaggeration when he said, “Peacock continues to prove that the easiest way to make a billion dollars is to spend eight.” This is an example of an overgeneralization. Additionally, Meyers used inflammatory language when he joked about Fox News and referred to the upfronts as a place where “you’re probably so excited, you’re thinking ‘what in God’s name is this.” This demonstrates an appeal to shock. No formal fallacies were detected.
    • ] Live Feed Home TV TV News
    • On Peacock: Peacock continues to prove that the easiest way to make a billion dollars, is to spend eight.”
    • On NBC shows: You remember Deal or No Deal? It’s on an island now... Deal or No Deal was always a great show. So admit I was surprised that moving it to an island worked so well. I love Jeopardy, but I don’t think I’d watch it more if it was in the woods.
    • On Linda Yaccarino: NBC is launching a new adventure competition series called Destination X, or as it was originally titled The Linda Yaccarino Story.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

94%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

NBCUniversal Upfront: Here’s What Happened At Radio City Music Hall

Deadline Hollywood Lynette Rice Monday, 13 May 2024 16:23
  • Unique Points
    • Kevin Hart made his upfront debut discussing the fun of working with NBCUniversal.
    • Tom Hanks teased a nature docuseries, ‘The Americas’, that he narrated for NBC’s midseason lineup.
    • Eddie Redmayne will star as the mysterious assassin in the series ‘The Day of the Jackal’ on Peacock.
  • Accuracy
    • NBCUniversal held an upfront presentation for advertising buyers on Monday.
    • Donna Langley warned against attempting to capture footage of the Wicked trailer during the presentation.
    • The room was lit emerald green when the Wicked trailer was shown.
    • Four people were scolded for phone use during the Wicked trailer screening.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The author's use of the phrase 'No one else can do what we do' by NBCUniversal Chairman Mark Lazarus is an example of an appeal to uniqueness fallacy. This fallacy occurs when someone claims that only they or their group possesses a unique quality that makes them superior to others. In this case, Lazarus is implying that NBCUniversal has invested more in content, tech, and overall experience than its competitors.
    • 'No one else can do what we do,' he added.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

94%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Seth Meyers Skewers Tom Sandoval, Peacock, Fox News, More at Upfronts

Variety Michael Schneider Monday, 13 May 2024 16:31
  • Unique Points
    • Seth Meyers made jokes about Fox News upfronts being at a lower Manhattan courtroom during NBCUniversal upfronts.
    • NBC is announcing a new drama called ‘The Hunting Party’ that stars South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and the dog from ‘Frasier’.
    • Paramount Global's fate is uncertain.
  • Accuracy
    • Paramount is one of two finalists for Seth Meyers.
    • Peacock requires a large investment to make a billion dollars.
    • Law & Order: SVU has been renewed for its 25th season and criminals from season one are now eligible for parole.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (90%)
    The article contains a few informal fallacies and an example of inflammatory rhetoric. Seth Meyers makes several jokes at the expense of Fox News, Paramount Global, streamers like Netflix and Amazon, Peacock, and other industry figures. These jokes are meant to entertain but do not present any logical fallacies. However, there is an instance of inflammatory rhetoric when Meyers mentions that 'the easy way to make a billion dollars is to spend 8' regarding Peacock's spending habits. This statement is hyperbolic and intended to draw attention and laughter, but it does not present a logical fallacy.
    • Things happening on Peacock. Peacock continues to prove that the easiest way to make a billion dollars is to spend 8.
    • At upfronts you think we’d be honest and upfront about everything but that tends not to be the case.
  • Bias (95%)
    The author expresses bias towards Fox News and the broadcast industry as a whole. He makes derogatory comments about Fox News being outside a lower Manhattan courtroom and mocks the idea that streamers like Netflix and Amazon are now in the mix for advertising. He also uses language that depicts those in the broadcast industry as unreasonable by saying 'everyone comes back to advertising' and 'it must feel so gratifying'.
    • At the NBCUniversal upfronts, they saved the best for almost last: “Late Night With Seth Meyers” host Seth Meyers hit the Radio City Music Hall stage to throw out a few quips before introducing NBCUniversal ad sales chief Mark Marshall. Meyers came out swinging: “Hello and welcome to the NBC upfronts. If you’re looking for the Fox News upfronts, that’s happening outside a lower Manhattan courtroom,” he said to chuckles.
      • But the loudest reaction from the audience of ad buyers may have been this deeply inside joke, about former NBCU ad sales chief Linda Yaccarino — now at Twitter, er, “X.” CNBC is launching a new adventure competition series called ‘Destination X.’ ‘Destination X,’ or as it was originally titled, ‘The Linda Yaccarino Story,'
        • It must feel so gratifying that eventually everyone comes back to advertising, Remember when streamers told you, ‘We’re gonna do television a new way, so I’m afraid we won’t be needing your little commercials anymore!’ Cut to a few years later, every episode of ‘Shogun’ is interrupted by, ‘Whopper Whopper Double Whopper!'
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        84%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Seth Meyers Roasts Paramount and Peacock at the NBCUniversal Upfront

        IndieWire Tony Maglio Monday, 13 May 2024 16:35
        • Unique Points
          • Seth Meyers made jokes about Paramount being up for sale during NBCUniversal upfront.
          • Two entities, Skydance and a Sony/Apollo Global Management contingent, are in the running to buy Paramount.
          • Seth Meyers joked about NBCU streaming service Peacock losing money and not revealing a profitable date.
        • Accuracy
          • Streaming industry took hits during Seth Meyers’ annual routine at NBCUniversal upfronts.
        • Deception (30%)
          The author makes editorializing comments and uses emotional manipulation by making jokes about Paramount and Peacock's financial losses. He also engages in selective reporting by only mentioning the financial losses of Paramount and Peacock without providing any context or information on their overall performance or growth.
          • It must feel so gratifying that everybody comes back to advertising. Remember when streamers told you, ‘We’re going to do television a new way, so I’m afraid we won’t be needing your little commercials anymore,’ Meyers said to a roomful of advertisers.
          • Seth Meyers had a few punchlines chambered for his employer. Like this one, on NBCU streaming service Peacock: ‘Peacock continues to prove that the easiest way to make a billion dollars is to spend eight [billion].’
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication