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On cable news,
it's a day of reckoning


There's every expectation of super duper ratings

Feb 5, 2008

Today the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees could seem all but decided, with 22 states holding their primaries. But the cable news networks have a lot to gain if both parties continue their squabbling over which candidate best represents their hopes to win the White House.

The close race for the Democratic nomination in particular has led to record ratings on CNN, where last Thursday’s debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama averaged a primary-record 8.3 million viewers, bettering the old debate record set barely a week earlier by 3.4 million.

Tonight CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC and ABC will carry primetime coverage of Super Tuesday results starting at either 7 or 8 p.m. NBC plans a one-hour special at 10 p.m., along with some PBS stations, while CBS will have a two-hour special.

The latest polls suggest John McCain will notch easy victories in most of the Republican states, though political observers say Mitt Romney could still stay in the race. Meanwhile, Obama has caught up to Clinton in national polls and in some key states, like California, where she had a big lead only weeks ago.

Still, while thousands of delegates to the summer’s conventions will be decided today, most people believe the nominations will not be firmed up for weeks. A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll finds that 58 percent of registered Democrats and 56 percent of registered Republicans don’t think their party’s nomination will be decided today, when more than 2,700 delegates are up for grabs.

The poll also found that in a presidential election matchup, both Democratic candidates hold an edge over the two leading Republican candidates.

 

A look at this week’s top TV draws

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

ABC

“Good Morning America” (N)

Singers Cher and k.d. lang both guest.

8 p.m.

Fox

“American Idol” (R)

The audition process continues, tonight in Atlanta.

8 p.m.

ABC

“Super Tuesday – Showdown: Coast to Coast” (N)

ABC scraps its usual lineup for wall-to-wall coverage of the presidential primaries.

8 p.m.

NBC

“The Biggest Loser” (R)

One of the competition’s strongest contestants gets injured.

9 p.m.

Fox

“House” (D)

Wilson starts dating a woman with a House-like personality. Weird.

10 p.m.

FX

“Nip/Tuck” (D)

Christian helps a group of socialites looking for various plastic surgery procedures.

10 p.m.

A&E

“Parking Wars” (R)

We’re betting it’s more common than you think: A woman goes ballistic at the impound lot.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

CBS

“The Early Show” (N)

The cast of the latest season of “Big Brother” is revealed.

7 p.m.

ESPN

“College Basketball” (S)

Big East rivals Connecticut and Syracuse battle at the Carrier Dome.

8 p.m.

Fox

“American Idol” (R)

Still more hopefuls audition for the chance to go to Hollywood.

8 p.m.

CW

“America’s Next Top Model” (R)

First of a two-parter chronicling the series’ best moments.

9 p.m.

Fox

“Moment of Truth” (G)

Had a cute spot with Chad Johnson during the Super Bowl.

10 p.m.

CBS

“CSI: NY” (D)

A murder victim is found in a self-cleaning public restroom.

10 p.m.

Bravo

“Project Runway” (R)

The competitors create designs inspired by pro wrestlers.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

NBC

“Today” (N)

Actress Brooke Shields is among this morning’s guests. Not coincidentally, she stars in a new NBC series premiering tonight.

8 p.m.

CBS

“Survivor” (R)

Season premiere. This season 10 fans compete against 10 of the show’s most memorable contestants.

8 p.m.

CW

“Smallville” (D)

Lois finds out details surrounding Oliver’s secret.

9 p.m.

ABC

“Lost” (D)

The castaways run into four unknown people on the island.

10 p.m.

NBC

“Lipstick Jungle” (D)

Series premiere. Based on the book by Candace Bushnell, three New York women support each other in work, love and life.

10 p.m.

VH1

“Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” (R)

More of the celebs show progress after some group therapy.

10 p.m.

ABC

“Eli Stone” (D)

How will the new drama hold up against some fresh competition (NBC’s “Jungle”)?

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

ABC

“Good Morning America” (N)

Wall Street Journal writer Wendy Bounds guests.

8 p.m.

ESPN

“NBA Basketball” (S)

Kevin Garnett visits Minnesota for the first time since being traded as the Wolves host the Celtics.

9 p.m.

NBC

“Friday Night Lights” (D)

Smash won’t give up on his dream of playing college football.

9:30 p.m.

VH1

“Smash Radio” (N)

Recently released jailbird Keifer Sutherland is interviewed.

10 p.m.

NBC

“Las Vegas” (D)

Terry Bradshaw guests as a man with a mysterious winning streak in horse race betting.

10 p.m.

USA

“Psych” (D)

Shawn and Gus pose as male models while investigating a murder.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Time

Network

Program

Description

3 p.m.

CBS

“PGA Golf” (S)

Third round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which mixes celebrities and pros.

3:30 p.m.

ABC

“College Basketball” (S)

Most will see a good Pac-10 matchup between USC and Washington State.

8 p.m.

Fox

“NASCAR Racing” (S)

The 70-lap Budweiser Shootout, which isn’t for points but kicks off the new season.

9 p.m.

ESPN

“College Basketball” (S)

Important Big East game between Georgetown and Louisville.

9 p.m.

Lifetime

“Making Mr. Right” (M)

An editor tries to turn a con man into her magazine’s Bachelor of the Year.

11 p.m.

Fox

“Mad TV” (C)

Among other things, a parody of “Hannah Montana.” Finally!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10

Time

Network

Program

Description

1 p.m.

ABC

“NBA Basketball”

A finals preview? The Spurs take on the Celtics.

1 p.m.

Fox

“NASCAR Racing” (S)

Qualifying runs for the Daytona 500.

3 p.m.

CBS

“PGA Golf” (S)

Final-round coverage of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which Phil Mickelson won last year.

4:30 p.m.

Fox

“NFL Football” (S)

Coverage of the Pro Bowl, live from Honolulu.

8 p.m.

ABC

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (R)

Two-hour edition in which Ty and Co. help a veteran of the War in Iraq.

8 p.m.

CBS

“Grammy Awards” (A)

The 50th annual event, live from Los Angeles. Will Amy Winehouse actually show up?

10:30 p.m.

HBO

“The Wire” (D)

Omar has disappeared, putting Marlo and his crew on alert.

A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.



Diego Vasquez is a staff writer for Media Life.




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