This week saw the launch of Right Network, which purports to be a network dedicated to entertainment from the right. Kelsey Grammar of Cheers and Frasier fame is involved, as is comedian/political satirist Evan Sayet.
In the “Welcome to the Right Network” piece on the site, David Jaget explains what the network is all about.
“What is “Right-Minded” you ask? It is all that is Right with the world. We’ll appeal to those among us who are thoughtful and reserved, as well as the bold and brash. At RIGHTNETWORK.COM you’ll find programming, commentary, and lifestyle sections in addition to a mix of personalities not seen on any other network. Here you’ll find a fresh daily perspective that is unapologetically American. Everything will be presented with humor, insight, wit, and an optimistic turn. “
Grammer has a column in which he describes a new creation the Gazelephant, their mascot of sorts.
“So we had a good think here about what kind of mascot we might want to stand for us…and our audience of right-minded, red-blooded American friends. And because this is how our minds work, we wondered what would happen if we combined the power of the largest land mammal on earth with the agile, fast as all get-out, Gazelle. And poof, the Gazelephant was born.”
It remains to be seen if we shall see Kelsey doing any acting or comedy himself or if he is rather a contributor in other ways. The Emmy winning actor does add a certain gravitas to the network.
Evan Sayet has his own show called “Evan Sayet’s Right to Laugh” which is a stand-up comedy show, hosted by the political satirist. The premiere of the show features comedians Kivi Rodgers and Adam Yenser, both of whom have their own shows on the Network, KiviTV and Leftovers respectively. The show is based on the successful series of comedy nights put on by Sayet in the LA area.
The network plans to be on all modern means of communication from your phone, the internet and on TV. It will be interesting to see if they manage to get themselves on Direct TV or Dish TV. The site lists several services where it cam be found on demand.
Needless to say the criticism from the left started even before the site was launched, no more than in this screed on Crooks & Liars.
“It is likely that I won’t actually ever have the kind of hard evidence (like cancelled checks or disclosure statements) to say with firm and complete confidence that I KNOW the money trail goes this way. However, I can build a compelling circumstantial case linking up a few players who have a past history of trying to influence elections and media.”
The network now has a collection of a few original shows, an interesting documentary about hypocrisy in politics Do As I say, a show about novice candidates called “Running” and some vintage video. They even have their own original “dramedy” called Moving Numbers about a dysfunctional campaign for US Senate.
Its early days to decide whether it will last for the long haul. However, those looking for a choice in their entertainment have something else to ponder.
