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T Issa Rae's Miami-set hip-hop comedy proved she doesn't have to be onscreen to make something great. THE REHEARSAL In the year's best nonfiction show, Nathan for You creator and star Nathan Fielder helped regular people "rehearse" for tough encounters. One of TV's most visually gorgeous, carefully plotted, emotionally involving sagas ended this year, with the finale of Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Internet and cable provider Comcast Brian Roberts' bid to purchase the cable company Time Warner Cable and how that could change the Internet. Topics include the rising U.S. trend where television (TV) is increasingly being watched on mobile devices, actions being taken by Comcast's rivals including Verizon and AT&T, and how the overturn of net neutrality laws impact the deals.

The article presents profiles of several people who were named to "Time" Magazine's 2014 list of the 100 most influential people, including information on individuals such as gay basketball player Jason Collins, investor Tom Steyer, and professional football player Richard Sherman who are featured in the periodical's pioneers category. Motion picture director Alfonso Cuarón and scientist Dr. Robert Lanza are mentioned, along with Indian politician Arvind Kejriwal and golfer Lydia Ko.

The article looks at YouTube (YT), the Internet video sharing website, noting that the website's size and relative lack of governance is both its draw and a threat to its existence.. The volume of video footage uploaded daily to YT is noted, along with the number of daily page views. Other topics discussed include the 2006 purchase of YT by Internet firm Google, the relative amounts of time per day people spend watching YT videos and television programming, and how YT's content affects the amount of money Google can charge for advertising. YT's California headquarters are described.

Presents the opinion of the author that reality television is the best thing to happen to television in several years. Belief that it has created excitement among viewers; Comment that reality television is a way to tell involving human stories; Benefits of reality programs for network television; Comparison of reality television with sitcoms; Young audiences that support reality television; Comments about several reality shows, including 'Joe Millionaire,' 'The Bachelorette,' and 'American Idol'; Remarks from social critics of reality programs.

Presents information about new products in several categories. Digital cameras, digital camcorders, DVD recorders, flat-panel televisions, DVD players, HD-ready television, home theater in a box, cell phones, PDA, and other items; Features, price and web site for each.

The article profiles Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, starring of Amilcare Ponchielli's opera "La Gioconda" performed at the San Francisco Opera in California in 1979. It discusses the conflict between Pavarotti and soprano Renata Scotto, Pavarotti's excellent live performances and his attitude. It elaborates Pavarotti's attachment to north-central Italy and his relationship with relatives and friends. Moreover, it mentions that he owns a record store in Bologna and an office building near Modena.

The article focuses on the cable television (TV) industry in the U.S. It states that cable TV reaches 14.5 out of 73 million households which make the Young and Rubicam Inc. predicts that about one of three TV households will subscribe cable TV by 1981. It mentions that the deregulation of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the coming of communications satellite, Satcom 1, of the RCA Corp. prompt the expansion of cable audience. It says that cable operators face the problems of high cost of wiring major cities. It adds that the high mobility of the population in the U.S. also bring frustrations to cable operators. Moreover, cable TV may never win the support of mass audience for many programs.

The article highlights the two award-winning films "Coming Home" and "The Deer Hunter," which explores the American experience during the war in Vietnam. It says that Jane Fonda has won the Best Actress award for her role in "Coming Home," an antiwar film centered on the suffering of injured American veterans. It also offers comparisons between the two films. The article also mentions several television shows, plays and memoirs that ultimately provide a mythic truth of American experience in Vietnam.

The article discusses the February 1979 interruption in the television (TV) industry in the U.S. It states that the networks, reported by Nielsen and Arbitron television census, expended 13 million dollars to surpass one another and attract more audiences. It also mentions that National Broadcasting Co. (NBC) president Fred Silverman was disappointed when their two TV programs attained only 32% of the audience. It also says that on February 11, American Broadcasting Co. (ABC) ranks first while Columbia Broadcasting Co. (CBS) places second and National Broadcasting Co. (NBC) ranks third. Moreover, producer Robert Wood noted that the February commotion is not beneficial. Furthermore, stations suggested that the tougher they are, the better ratings and more money they have.

A preview of the television program "Roots: The Next Generations," starring James Earl Jones and Dorian Harewood is presented.

The article reports on the delay of the conference between U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Russian President Leonid Brezhnev regarding the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) II agreement in Geneva, Switzerland. It says that the delay was allegedly encapsulated by two main reasons, which include the disappointment of Brezhnev to the status of the U.S.-China relations or that it was part of Russia's bargaining tactics as claimed by Richard Perle. However, it adds that the Russian journal "Tass" blames the U.S. which accordingly was seeking supremacy in strategic armaments and was taking unilateral advantages. Meanwhile, it discusses the implications which will result to the introduction of SALT III and exclusion of SALT II, as opposed by several organizations and senators.

The article profiles Fred Silverman, television (TV) programmer for the American Broadcasting Co. (ABC). It says that Silverman's unconventional tactics and aggressiveness as a programmer have wiped-out competitors such as CBS Corp. and National Broadcasting Company Inc. (NBC) during the end of the 1976 and 1977 seasons. It mentions that Silverman's liking for watching TV and knowing what the viewers like and do not like are some of the qualities that make him one of the best TV programmers. Bonny Dore, former ABC director of variety shows says that Silverman has a golden gut and knows instinctively what will work for the viewers. Furthermore, Silverman's willingness to dispatch his failures and his keen eye for strong personality and characters separate him from other programmers.

The article discusses the interview of ousted U.S. President Richard Nixon for the four-part television (TV) series "The Nixon Interviews." It states that the interview, hosted by British David Frost, is the first to account the former president's tumultuous presidency. It says that the discussions in the early tapings of the TV series had ranged across issues including his Vietnam War policies, peace efforts in the Middle East, and abuses of authority. It mentions that another issue raised in the interview is regarding his participation in the Watergate scandal. It relates that for the first time, the former president admits in the public that his constant claim that he was just trying to keep the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) away from national security issues is untrue.

The article examines the activities of U.S. President Jimmy Carter for an entire day. It was found that Carter normally starts his day at 6:45 and most of his day is spent in his adjacent small study room, which is connected to the Oval Office. He tends to use the Oval Office in the White House for ceremonial occasions and special meetings. He says that he has foreign policy on his mind as his long day begins as he finds this issue as challenging and his ability to act unilaterally is greater that what he can on domestic issues.

The article offers information on the popularity of pornography in the U.S. It mentions several sex-related establishments and porn items offered in Santa Monica Boulevard including magazines with nude photographs, Wild Mary's Massage parlor, and Beefcake Zone for homosexuals. It discusses several issues concerning pornography which include one on the insufficiency of laws that govern pornography, lack of funds, and the juries' will to convict. It mentions that the standards to classify several materials as obscene is deficient such as one on the case of the books "Ulysses" and "Lover." It mentions that porn industry, massage parlors, and strip joints are directed by organized crime.

The article focuses on the social aspects of soap operas and its influence to its viewers. It says that themes of television programs including as abortion, drug addiction, and familiar workings of unhappy families are common to people. "The Young and the Restless" is about helping a woman through a mastectomy with excessive realism, while "All My Children" shows the description of a child-abuse case that took six months. It adds that "How to Survive a Marriage" introduced a seduction scene ending up with the participants in bed while discussing frigidity and impotence. The viewers of soap operas are seemed to be affected with the scenes, making them approach its actors differently. It stresses that the profits of television networks are also affected by these reactions from viewers.

The article focuses on the Transcendental Meditation (TM), a mental exercise which is practiced by Americans and is said to promote spiritual life, provide relaxation, and reduce stress. Practitioners meditate for 20 minutes each morning and evening and silently repeat a specially assigned Sanskrit word or mantra. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, an Indian guru started the TM movement and introduced it to the U.S. and to the rest of the world. Religious leaders suggest that despite TM's claim to be secular, it is still Hinduism in disguise. It notes that there are over a million TM meditators and teachers worldwide.

The article profiles Charles Oscar Finley, the general manager, remote-control field manager, president and owner of the Oakland Athletics baseball team in California. It notes that Finley grew up in Birmingham and Gary, Indiana and spent his boyhood in baseball and salesmanship. He later brought his fierce concentration and energy to baseball with his endless job hours. He is notable in baseball through his advocate that play starts on a weekend and that all weekday games should be played at night to promote World Series television (TV) ratings. Establishing the most colorful team since the Gas House Gang of Saint Cardinals of the 1930s is considered as his most blatant achievement. He believes that fame and success realization serves as the replay of the midsummer dreams of a ball fan.

The article offers information on Americans with leadership qualities. Robert Abboud, deputy chairman of the First Chicago Corp., is a monetary and economic conservative who considers himself a liberal in social matters. Senator James Abourezk, chairman of the Indian Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate, is a forceful spokesman for the Arab cause in the conflict over a Palestinian state. Lamar Alexander, Chairman of the Tennessee Council on Crime and Delinquency, has made a point of announcing that he will disclose every single contribution he gets although he is not required to and although it will be a big, burdensome task.

Praises this year's television season as the real Golden Age. That there are more first-rate programs on the air than at any other time in television's nearly 50-year history; Comedies like `The Simpsons,' and dramas like `NYPD Blue'; Recommendation of `The Larry Sanders Show' as the best comedy; `ER' said to be the most popular show on television; Television's alleged superiority to movies. INSET: Six reasons to tune in.