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With its latest "Survivor" installment wrapped up, CBS's "CSI" served as NBC's only competition for the night. The peacock network's "Friends" dominated
the first half of CBS's "Survivor: Africa--Back to Africa" special, more than tripling its 18-49 rating of 4.3 with a 14.0. The return of CBS's "CSI" won the 9 p.m. hour with a 8.8, adult 18-49 rating, which was just enough to beat the 8.5 garnered by "Will & Grace" and "Just Shoot Me." The first half of "CSI" only drew an 8.3 among 18-49s, though, which was below "Will & Grace's" 9.1. "ER" stole the reins back at 10 p.m. with a strong 13.1 in adults 18-49. NBC dominated the night with a 11.2, adult 18-49 rating while CBS trailed with a 5.7, based on preliminary Nielsen ratings. ABC and Fox were far back at 2.4 and 2.3, respectively. Their past reality hits, "Who
Wants To Be a Millionaire" and "Temptation Island 2," seem to be on their last legs. Neither averaged higher than a 2.6 among 18-49s. The preliminary
Nielsen household rating and share for Thursday night were: NBC 14.2/22, CBS10.2/16, ABC 5.2/8 and Fox 3.2/5. On Wednesday night, two midseason premieres failed to light it up for ABC, as the critical favorite "The Job" dropped 15 percent from its "Drew Carey" lead-in, though it came in second in the half-hour to NBC's "The West Wing" with a 3.8 in adults 18-49. ABC's "20/20 Downtown" dropped 34 percent from "The Job" and averaged only a 2.6 among 18-49s for the 10 p.m. hour. One bright spot for ABC was its win with "My Wife and Kids" and "According to Jim" in the 8 p.m. hour. The two recently renewed family comedies combined for a 4.6, adult 18-49 rating. NBC easily won the night in the demo with a 6.6 due to strong showings from "The West Wing" and "Law & Order." Fox garnered a 4.1, ABC a 3.8 and CBS a 2.6, based on preliminary Nielsen ratings. CBS's special, "Muhammad Ali's 60th Birthday Celebration," at 9 p.m. failed to draw interest, coming in last with a 2.6 in 18-49s. The household rating and share for Wednesday night were: NBC 11.4/18, CBS 6.7/11, ABC 6.0/10, Fox 5.2/8.
FTC-Justice Dept. power swap nixed
Government officials have reconsidered a plan that would have seen oversight responsibilities for media and telecommunications mergers consolidated under the aegis of the U.S. Justice Department. Representatives from the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission were reportedly set to announce the agreement yesterday afternoon but canceled a press conference after U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft withdrew the proposal to redraw the lines of authority between the two government bodies. Under the proposal, the FTC would have been responsible for reviewing mergers in industries including oil, electric power, natural gas and biotechnology, while the Justice Department would have assumed authority over television, radio, newspapers, advertising, publishing and other industries. The Justice Department is widely considered less independent than the FTC. Under the current administration, the agreement, had it gone through, would likely have resulted in a more permissive atmosphere for media mergers.
Regis says no to syndie 'Millionaire'
Who wants to host a syndicated version of "Millionaire"? Not Regis Philbin, apparently. Philbin's agent, Jim Griffin, is quoted in the New York Post today saying that his client was offered the job on two separate occasions but declined. That shouldn’t be much of a surprise considering that Philbin already has his schedule full hosting the primetime "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and his morning talk show, "Live! with Regis and Kelly." But when the syndicated version was first announced last summer, Philbin indicated he’d be willing to take that on as well. Since that time, however, "Millionaire" has lost much of its luster, with ABC executives saying they misplaced their faith in the drawing power of the show. They've even hinted that it might not be on the primetime schedule come fall.
American Media holds off on Style 24/7 launch
Given the name of Style 24/7, one would think it would be ever-present. But the new fashion magazine with the mass-market sensibility is nowhere to be seen these days. The original plan called for four test issues last fall followed by a full launch at the beginning of 2002, but the expected start date has now been pushed back to May, according to a report in the New York Post. Published by American Media Inc., which also publishes the National Enquirer and other tabloids, Style 24/7 plans to rely heavily for distribution on retail chains like Kmart and Wal-Mart. AMI chairman David Pecker says results from the test issues are still being evaluated.
You don't say: 'Chamber' player gets burned
You didn't have to be Nostradamus to see this one coming. A contestant on "The Chamber," Fox's new reality/torture/quiz show, has suffered burns from the flame-spouting contraption he or she was encased in during competition, according to the New York Post. The participant's injuries were reportedly minor and did not require medical attention. Fox denies the incident occurred but admits it has received a steady stream of complaints over the show's setup, which requires players to submit themselves to various types of discomfort while answering questions. The mechanical "Chamber" produces extremes in temperature with the aid of a blowtorch-like flame, spurts pressurized air, delivers electrical shocks, and spins the contestant round-and-round while the host fires question after question.
January 18, 2002 © 2002 Media Life
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