Super Bowl abortion ad
stokes controversy
Other shorts: Patriots score Twitter touchdown
By Louisa Ada Seltzer
Jan 31, 2012
Super Bowl abortion ad stokes controversy
In addition to
Skechers, another Super Bowl ad is stirring up controversy, this one an anti-abortion spot that's slated to air regionally on 11 NBC affiliates. The ad, paid for by presidential candidate Randall Terry, the founder of Operation Rescue who is running on a pro-life platform, depicts an aborted fetus in graphic detail. Gloria Allred, president of the Women's Equal Rights Legal Defense and Education, says the ad is inflammatory and should not air. She's written letters to the affiliates voicing her objections, including the possibility that the graphic images might incite violence against abortion providers. Allred requests that stations that do air the ads allow her "the opportunity to appear on your station to express the pro-choice right to safe and legal abortion positions," according to her letter. The ad will reportedly air in Grand Junction, Colo., Joplin, Mo., Paducah, Ky., and Springfield, Mo., among other cities, though NBC's affiliate in Chicago rejected the spot.
In Twitter buzz, Patriots score a touchdown
The New England Patriots are favored by both oddsmakers and Twitter users in this year's Super Bowl matchup. An analysis of pregame Twitter chatter by Seattle-based social media agency Banyan Branch found that Patriots players generated far more mentions than Giants players, led by quarterback Tom Brady, who paced all Super Bowl participants with more than 600,000 mentions during January. No one else was even close; Giants QB Eli Manning was second with just under 400,000 mentions. Patriots Chad Ochocinco and Deion Branch received the third- and fourth-most mentions among players. Patriots coach Bill Belichick also earned way more Twitter love than his Giants counterpart, Tom Coughlin. The Super Bowl airs Sunday at 6 p.m. on NBC.
NFL's most marketable player: Aaron Rodgers
He wasn't able to lead his team to a second straight Super Bowl, but Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers did win another title: He's now the most marketable player in the NFL. That's according to SportsBusiness Daily, which surveyed sports business executives, analysts and media personalities to find the NFL's most ad-friendly player. Four other quarterbacks--Tom Brady of the Patriots, Peyton Manning of the Colts, Drew Brees of the Saints and Tim Tebow of the Broncos--rounded out the top five. Rodgers appeared on 41 of the 50 ballots in the survey, five more than either Brady or Manning, although Brady received 15 first-place votes to Rodgers' 12. Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu was the highest-ranking non-quarterback at No. 6, followed by Giants quarterback Eli Manning, Panthers QB Cam Newton, Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (Lewis and Romo tied for No. 10).
'X Factor' shakeup: Jones and Scherzinger are out
Fox's "The X Factor" was one of the top new shows on broadcast last fall but its ratings
failed to live up to the high expectations of both media buyers and producer/judge Simon Cowell. Now the network is overhauling the show in advance of season two. Host Steve Jones and judge Nicole Scherzinger, both of whom were heavily criticized by fans, are out, following weeks of rumors about their fate. CNN also reported this morning that Paula Abdul may be gone as well, though Fox has not confirmed that. Jones confirmed the news on Twitter, saying he had no complaints after having a "great time" during his gig. Scherzinger had originally been slated to host the show alongside Jones. But after Cowell booted fourth judge Cheryl Cole, an import from the British "Factor," Scherzinger was tapped during the audition process to take her place. The former Pussycat Dolls singer never quite seemed comfortable in the new role alongside Cowell, Abdul and L.A. Reid. Fox has not said who will take Jones or Scherzinger's place. Season two of "Factor" is slated for fall.
Programming notes: USA picks up 'Animals'
USA is entering the world of politics during this election year, choosing "Brothers & Sisters" executive producer Greg Berlanti as its running mate. The
No. 1 cable network has picked up a six-hour drama series from Berlanti and producer Laurence Mark called "Political Animals," which follows a divorced former First Lady who is now Secretary of State. The series will premiere this summer with the pilot episode written and directed by Berlanti. Meanwhile, in other programming, CBS has ordered a comedy pilot to be written and executive produced by
Louis C.K. and Spike Feresten, about a group of young creative people trying to make it in these troubling economic times. Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein will also executive produce the project. And Fox has ordered an untitled comedy pilot from
"The Office's" Mindy Kaling, in which she would star as a doctor looking for stability in both her work and personal lives. Kaling will also write and executive produce the comedy, and if the project is picked up to series she will leave the "The Office." NBC reportedly passed on the project before Fox picked it up.
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