Archives 2004
Monday, January 5, 2004
Overnights
Snoozer
Sugar Bowl, even with flapdoodle
Early #s hint at record
low viewing for ABC. Must ease past 2002’s 14.3 household
rating, lowest in BCS title history.
New
media
A
new year and lots less downloading
Music
industry suits chop figures more than half. Pew study finds
especially dramatic declines among 18-29 year-olds and students.
Television
That Jacko, no Christmas
Grinch he
Gifts
CBS with huge #s for two holiday shows,
'60 Minutes' and Jackson special. Plus other catch-up tidbits
you may have missed.
Television
The
big TV stories
of 2003, and the busts
Readers
vote: John Ritter dies, Rush fumbles.
Best new show: 'Queer Eye.' Worst: 'Are You Hot?' 'Angels'
is top miniseries. Really dumb idea of 2004: 'Joey.'
Feature
A
nod to those no longer among us
Saying good-bye again to
Mr. Rogers and others,
including
Michael Kelly, David Bloom, David Brinkley, Donna Salvatore . . .
Out
of home
Your
client hosting
a Super tailgate party
As
in Bowl. Hand out samples during the game at an event just miles from
Houston's Reliant Center. Hey, and watch the play while
you're at it.
This
week in television
A
camera's eye in not so
friendly skies
Yo, stewardess!
From the cockpit at Southwest. Tonight, A&E's new series
shows us what pilots and attendants put up with daily.
Web
Shorts
Holiday
e-spending hits new high of $11.72B
Rotten Apples? Mac users threatening lawsuit
Beware holiday worm sent via MSN Messenger
Queen knights net creator (that's Sir Berners-Lee)
Tuesday, January 6, 2004
Television
At
Fox, risen star who's Gail Berman
Sandy
Grushow departs, leaving behind a very different network.
Tough dame. Her challenge: Building muscle on those bones.
Magazines
Savoy
and Honey to resume publishing
Resurrecting
urban titles from Vanguarde collapse for later sale.
Heart & Soul will not be revived. Vital titles tumbled by high costs.
Magazines
A
better year for magazines, but dicier
Rising tide in ad dollars will swamp as it lifts.
Many titles will
founder and fail. Also an issue: Tougher times at newsstands.
New
media
The
browser, its rise and rapid fall
Factoid:
Majority access web by different means. Three-fourths of internet users
now rely on instant messaging and media players.
Sports
TV
Growing
chill for pro ice skating
Steady
ratings decline going into contract talks. Will ABC renew? Guess is not.
Ratings for weekend's championship may say loads.
This
week in television
Everybody
loves
Martha (right?)
Not.
As
jury selection starts, two looks at Stewart's past. (A good time to sequester jurors?)
Television
WB's Petrick: I guess I'll just mosey on
Goosed
aside with Ancier's return. Third wheel on a careening bike. Little
network that could isn't this season. Ratings freefall.
Magazines
Next
big thing: Men's weeklies. Or not.
Two launching in
UK, but U.S. prospects dim for newsstand titles featuring sports and
jokes. We lack Britain's newsstand networks.
Television
Out
on a limb with
Fox's 'Obnoxious Fiancé'
Risky ploy: If it
cracks, network's going to tumble.
Less accessible show than hit 'Joe Millionaire.'
Broadcast
recap
A
colder January for
ABC, post-football
Great games--and a schedule needing much repair.
Great hope: 'Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital'
bowing sometime in March.
Cable
recap
For
2003 cable, ESPN's lopsided win
Forget
makeover madness. Takes seven of top 10 shows in total viewers, adults 18-49 and 25-54.
No. 1: Cowboys versus Patriots.
This
week in television
So
bad it's still
bad, 'Celebrity Mole'
ABC's
cheesefest returns with Bernsen & Baldwin, has-been never-wases.
Never mind finding
the mole, where are their careers?
Thursday, January 8, 2004
Television
For
ailing 'Friends,' NBC turns to fans
Staging vote for fave reruns to flesh out lineup leading to finale.
Will splice in top vote-getters from AOL poll. Steep ratings slide.
Magazines
The
new Star, the old Bonnie
Redesign
is so, well, Us-like. Are we surprised?
We shouldn't be,
since she invented the formula. Celebmania with a tawdry edge.
Television
'The
Apprentice,'
in the spirit of capitalism
But will it work as TV?
Dueling lemonade stands and The Donald.
Thinking person's reality show. No bumps, grinds, swinging vines.
Research
'To
be young, rich and watching O.C.'
Ranking the
shows that draw America's wealthy. Fox soaper ranks No. 1 among
adults 18-34 with household incomes over $100K.
This
week in television
The
Rose knows: Hey,
bettor, bettor!
Ex-baller
spills the truth on ABC, finally admitting to gambling.
Friday, January 9, 2004
Television
Final
death kiss for 'The Sopranos'
This is
it. No more fooling around, says Tony. The hit is in.
After season five and a mini-season six, no more. Done. Over.
New
media
Dramatic
rise in high-speed access
Ten
million homes sign up from May to November of 2003. That's a 27
percent increase. Broadband in two-fifths of all wired homes.
Younger
viewers 2003
Cable
news's hot new viewers: Kids
Fox News
sees a 100 percent growth in 6-11s over the year.
Plopping down next to mom and pop for the day's big stories.
Younger
viewers
The
WB's sway with Saturday's kids
The
potion: 'Yu-Gi-Oh!: Enter the Shadow Realm.' 'Pokemon'
too.Well ahead of ABC, its nearest competitor, in 2-11s and 6-11s.
Interview
Five
questions with Jim Spanfeller
Forbes.com's
CEO on the internet in year 2004. Trend
to watch: Increasing role of video. Less spam to worry about.
In
television this week
Best
tube bets this weekend
Friday: Sci Fi's 'SG-1;' Saturday: Titans at Patriots on CBS;
Sunday: 'The Division' on Lifetime
Monday, January 12, 2004
Television
Alas,
NBC saying good-bye to 'Frasier'
Kibosh
to talk of extending long-toothed sitcom. Too many $s. Will
leave Tuesday lineup in near shambles. Grief counselor, please.
Sports
TV
This
Super Bowl, with the $s back
Big
issue for CBS: What it gets for those last eight spots.
Average price up almost 10 percent, to $2.25 million apiece.
Newspapers
Big
mystery behind USA Today stink
Reporter
quits over story. What's really going on? Anonymous
letter leads to probe over cooked reporting. Paper vows to fill in blanks.
Sports
TV
Good
for Eagles, even better for Fox
Expect
ratings jump with return to NFC championship.
Repeating
teams average more than 11 percent increases in viewership.
Out
of home
Get
wild & clingy
with your client
Guerrilla
signage that comes down without a trace. No glue or messy run-ins with
the litter cops. Let static work for you.
This
week in television
Couples
counseling
through 'Fear Factor'
Tonight
on NBC, twosomes square off for $1M. Moral
of story: Those who eat worms
together stay together.
Web Shorts
Spam
slam? Not quite, it may actually be up
XM traffic updates spark radio debate
Nearly half of moneyed households have high-speed
Study: Brit workers avoid Big Brother with IM
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Magazines
Florio
scoots in
Condé Nast power shift
Wants
to chill. Moving up to vice chairman.
COO Charles Townsend takes over as CEO of Si's house of magazines.
Magazines
As
her trial looms, a sweeter Martha
Freshens
web site with new appeals to fans as part of PR push
to win public support. Vows to update site with trial transcripts.
Television
Study:
Syndication's deep downside
New
episodes of hit shows often see ratings dip in first year, rather than
gain viewers because
of increased exposure from reruns
Newspapers
Fallen
star: How they got Jack Kelley
USA
Today probe into reporter's suspect stories. Lengthy story today reveals
writer's elaborate efforts to thwart investigation.
New media
The
very hot web thing: Mars of course
Great
traffic surge as NASA hunts for signs of life so far away from earth.
Hundreds of millions of hits to web site each day.
This
week in television
'Model'
behavior:
Thin and catty
UPN
summer hit 'America's Next Top Model' returns with new gorgeous
gals. See Tyra teach them to strut on the runway. Meow!
Web Shorts
Television
ABC
and HBO tops in director noms
'8
Simple Rules' is up for high-rated death episode. Other
Directors Guild picks: 'Six Feet Under,' 'Sex and the City,' '24.'
Newspapers
Doo
deepens for USA Today's Kelley
Newspaper
reveals new allegation: Plagiarism. Story in 1998 appears to have lifted
language from Washington Post report.
Television
WB: Here's how we'll
revive primetime
In
a nutshell: Reality shows and made-for-TV flicks.
Network's consolation: With fewer programming hours, less work to repair.
Broadcast
recap
Actually,
fewer and
fewer love 'Raymond'
Big ratings slide could dampen renewal talks.
Fear factor: How at risk is Monday night?
Cable
recap
Yikes!
Big #s from croc-pot baby stunt
Animal
Planet show's viewers rise nearly 20 percent after crocodile tamer
dangles newborn. Global stink, great press.
This
week in television
Rejected
by Bob,
Meredith tries again
'Bachelor'
castoff makes the choices in ABC's 'The Bachelorette,'
premiering tonight. True love or truly revolting?
Thursday, January 15, 2004
Television
NBC:
Our season will begin in August
Early
rollout of new shows tied to the Olympics.
Another blow
to notion of fall through spring TV year.
Television
Earlier
finales for 'Friends' and 'Frasier'
Avoiding the glut
of hoopla at end of season.
A May 6 end set for 'Friends,' with 'Frasier' finishing up the following Thursday.
Research
A
further graying of network television
Study: Median ages
up, even with younger shows.
ABC viewer
ages two years, at 45.3, while CBS is up 1.6. Only NBC is flat.
New
media
Hot
and hotter: Paid search advertising
Study:
Driving surge in web $s. Rose 300 percent in first-half 2003.
Growth will slow, but it now accounts for third of internet spending.
This
week in television
Tonight,
Kobe on
a different Court
Court
TV, that is. 'Hollywood Justice' spotlights Laker's rape case.
Did he do it? Is she lying?
All questions a nation ponders.
Friday, January 16, 2004
Newspapers
Big
merger in Span-lang newspapers
Allowing one-stop buying
for national advertisers. LA's La Opinión weds NYC's El Diario/La
Prensa.
Plan to add papers.
Television
Fox's
worry: Not such an 'Idol' threat
Reality
warbler will likely do well. But well enough? With
network's
ratings swimming in the basement, it needs a real screamer
hit.
Television
'Gail,
hey, tighten up or beat it'
Reader
poll: Fox's Berman needs to get cracking to
fix schedule.
Weighing in with what she needs to do, what works and doesn't.
Younger
viewers
How
fleeting is (was) 'The Simple Life'
Teen-wise,
it was fast headed for a tumble in ratings. That may explain why talks
between Fox and Paris for a redo have cooled.
Rachel
speaks!
'Rachel,
help me get that raise I need'
Sound
advice on how to prepare for the big moment when you
approach your boss for an increase in salary. How not to blow
it.
In
television this week
Best
tube bets this weekend
Friday: USA's 'Monk;' Saturday: 'Star Search' on CBS; Sunday:
NFL on CBS & Fox
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Magazines
Brewster
getting boot as G+J U.S. chief
Report:
Done in by Rosie flap and other woes.
German bosses
expected to give walking papers this week. Move long expected.
TV
review
'Obnoxious
Fiancé,' deft manipulation
Fox
spoof goofs on reality TV and human greed. Well-handled
if squirmy to watch. Will audiences appreciate bigger messages?
New
feature
What's
popcult hot: Pete's confessions
New
episodes of hit shows often see ratings dip in first year, rather than
gain viewers because
of increased exposure from reruns
Sports
TV
With
Serena out, a sinking Aussie Open
Expect
ratings dip with no Williams faceoff in cards. Best hope: Agassi and
Roddick in semis after making opposite sides of draw.
Out
of home
Your
client's face on dollar bills
Stickers
with an ad message on your change. Get consumers to notice your message
when they are counting their money.
This
week in television
'Eddie,'
booted by
Fox, gets Bravo encore
Likable
limited-run summer series 'Keen Eddie' returns with six unseen
episodes. Watch it instead of doze-worthy State of the Union.
News Shorts
Eagles-Panthers
game lifts Fox Sunday
Survey: Most Americans wouldn't let Martha free
'Friends' finale spots selling for record $2M
Buggy down with UPN's new Amish reality show
CBS re-ups 'Survivor' and four new shows
Ex-Times ME Boyd surfacing at Columbia
Booted from La Opinion, Tribune starts LA Hoy
'Simpsons' and 'L&O' still among WGA favorites
Web Shorts
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Magazines
For
magazines, a much stronger 2003
Overall
ad pages ended flat but many titles saw big gains. Most categories up,
with totals dragged down by one or two names.
Television
Fox's
'Fiancé' stumbles at the altar
Premiere
sees deep audience loss from 'Idol.' A third of lead-in's viewers tune out prank-within-a-prank wedding show.
Television
It's
a $#%* good-bye
to 'Sharon Osbourne'
One
of many syndicated shows facing cancellation.
Trend: Potty talk is out.
Television
Better day for 'Good Morning
America'
Gibson/Sawyer
taking chomp out of 'Today's' lead. Show's
total viewers have risen 37 percent over the past five years.
Interview
Five
quick questions for Jack Myers
Of
the Myers Report: On ad spending, new media technologies, the
near-term future of television, and his run-in with Fox News
This
week in television
Todd
turns his life
over to America
New
FX show lets viewers vote on Todd's dinner or his love life.
Yikes, if no one watches, Todd will have to make own decisions.
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Ratings
recap
Comely
'Apprentice' shows it's got legs
Despite high dork
factor, viewers return for second airing in higher numbers. The Donald and
warring lemonade stands. 'Idol' fodder?
Research
Television
and the web, better together
Study:
Internet component boosts ad awareness.
Sponsorship and message association grew markedly when online element
added.
Cable
recap
The
darling of
cable that's 'Monk'
Returning detective
series is week's top show. USA airing of original pulls in bigger audience
than rerun on ABC.
Coming in No. 2: 'Gracie’s
Choice.'
New
media
And
away we go, using the internet
Great
growth in traffic to travel sites looking for deals. But a
threesome of Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz pulling the
crowds.
This
week in television
No
'Idol' tonight,
but there's still Simon
Bitter
Brit Simon Cowell receives the 'Biography' treatment. See Paula
and Randy and Ryan dish on their nasty castmate.
Friday, January 23, 2004
Television
Oops!
NBC shifts Trump to Thursdays
Promising
'Apprentice' smashed by Fox's 'Idol'
on Wednesday.
Network also shuffles its Tuesday lineup, moving 'Scrubs' there.
Magazines
Axel
axes: Brewster booted from G+J
German
chieftain taking over troubled U.S. unit while leading hunt for
replacement. Rosie's revenge? Hubris hath its own fury.
Interview
On
why the ACLU is siding with Rush
Five
questions for Howard Simon on why the group's Florida chapter is fighting to keep the talker's medical
records private.
Younger
viewers
For UPN, bevy of long-stemmed roses
Great
returning #s for 'America's Next Top Model,' especially among teens,
as summer hit goes against 'Frasier' and 'Jim'
Rachel
speaks!
'Rachel,
how do I ask for that raise?'
You're
in the boss's office: What to say--and not. Savvy advice
from our career girl on selling yourself. Hint: Don't lose your
cool.
In
television this week
Best
tube bets this weekend
Friday: 'Hot Rod' on Discovery; Saturday: ABC Family movie;
Sunday: Golden Globes on E! and NBC
Monday, January 26, 2004
Television
Barbara
Walters is quitting ABC's '20/20'
Will
cut back workload to specials and 'The View.'
Why now? At
74, she says she wants more time for friends and her family.
Television
HBO
again wins big at Golden Globes
Takes
seven of 11 awards. Surprise winner: BBC's 'The Office,' netting
two. 'Angels in America' dominates the night, winning five.
Popcult
What's hot: Ashton Kutcher's 'Butterfly'
Debuts as No.1
movie over the weekend, clocking $17.1 million at the box office. Also,
top-selling albums and books and movie rentals.
Sports
TV
Don't
bet against
the Panthers & Patriots
Just
yet. The game's the thing, not who's playing.
A good close Super Bowl will pull viewers, regardless of the teams.
Out
of home
Your
client on Times
Square trash kiosks
Make
a splash with the hordes of visiting tourists. Eye-catching posters on
state-of-the-art receptacles
This
week in television
Paris
is returning
in a bonus 'Life'
Fox
scrapes through the archives to come up with one final 'Simple
Life.' Ding! Just when you thought Hilton's 15 minutes were over.
Web
Shorts
Purchase
political pundits on Amazon.com
eBay punishes users posting false positives
European legit download sites snared in red tape
Great screener mystery solved: Electrician did it
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Magazines
Readers:
Martha's guilty but she'll walk
Believe
feds won't make it stick. If she does go to prison, what will she do?
Write a book revealing the side of Martha we never knew.
Sports
TV
As
game nears, a greener Super Bowl
Cost
of a spot now figured at $2.3 million, up from $2.25 million.
Credit a better economy, less exciting alternatives--and the game.
Research
Of
networks' lost youth? Off to cable.
Study:
Share of 18-34 adult viewers crossed over. One cause
may be increasing number of younger-skewing programs.
Interview
Five
fast questions for Lloyd Grove
Daily News gossip
columnist on covering New York after years as The Washington Post's
"Reliable Source" dishing dirt from the Hill
New
media
On
the web, White House race heats up
December
traffic showed Dean the more clickable, at least compared to Bush, with
twice the traffic. And then there was Iowa...
This
week in television
Long
day's journey on '24'
Witchy
woman Sherry Palmer returns tonight to Fox drama. Never a dull
moment for Kiefer & Co.
See them battle evil in real time.
Web Shorts
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Magazines
What
feds must prove against Martha
It's
a lot. They must explain this: If contending Stewart committed insider
trading, why has she not been charged with doing so?
Television
Say
so long to Jack Paar, funny guy
He
did late-night talk only a few years but he forever changed it. (We kid
you not.) Television has lost a legend with his death.
Ratings
recap
Globe award #s bode well for Oscars
Are
we all movie-crazy? Best viewer numbers ever. Draws 27
million viewers, 6 million more than last year. Tops even 'Idol.'
Cable
recap
True
love, cable-wise, Nick and Jessica
Returning
'Newlyweds' is the top show of the week. Leads in 18-34s and 18-49s, with 4.7 million viewers tuning in. Hot stuff.
Reader
survey
Come
here, place your Super Bowl bets
Tell
us who will win the game. Close or a blow out? What ads
do you think will be a hit with viewers. Do you intend to watch?
This
week in television
Stuck
in 'Traffic?'
You should be.
Long
(six hours) USA miniseries is worth the investment. It ends
tonight. If you missed it, catch up with reruns beforehand.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Television
CBS:
MoveOn ought to get over it
Network defends
decision to block Super Bowl ad on U.S. deficit.
Reacting to stinkeroo raised by liberal groups over ad's rejection.
Television
USA's
Herzog back to Comedy Central
Taking over job of
retiring Divney. Move tied to executive musical chairs as NBC closes on Vivendi
deal. Programming whiz guy.
Television
CBS's
bigger Super Bowl
play: post-game 'Survivor'
Spring
assault against NBC's weakened Thursday. Building on popularity of reality
show.
Interview
Five
short questions for Trump's firee
'Apprentice's' Sam Solovey
on his brief fame on the reality show.
What it felt like when The Donald canned him. Why he napped.
Daypart
report
'NBC Nightly
News' up in election year
Leads
8 percent over ABC and 32 percent over CBS. But the
question looms: What happens after Brokaw retires--if he retires?
This
week in television
Tonight,
guilty until
proven 'Innocent'
Court
TV's 'Stories of the Innocent' showcases the exonerated after
wrongful convictions. Many years wasted before DNA saved them.
Friday, January 30, 2004
Sports
TV
Yo,
CBS, chill. The game will be close.
Readers
see 4Q white-knuckler, with a Patriots win. Majority
see viewing up from last year. And 'Survivor?' Way cool numbers.
Sports
TV
Actually,
fewer will watch for the ads
Slide
in viewers tuning in just for the commercials. Also, rise
in folks watching out of habit. But, hey, still a great ad
event.
Sports
TV
Your
cornucopia of Super Bowl facts
What you need
to know going into Sunday's game. Be advised that sales of cocktail
wieners double. Ditto for canned chili beans.
Younger
viewers
Spongie,
meet 'Dave the Barbarian'
He
hopes to eat you. Disney Channel hopes he will. Premiere
pulls very good numbers, especially among girls ages 6 to 11.
Rachel
speaks!
'Rachel,
what if I'm denied my raise?'
How
to handle rejection and make it work for you. It hurts to hear
'no' but life is not over. Tips on how to prepare for the next
time.
In
television this week
Best
tube bets this weekend
Friday: Aussie Open on ESPN; Saturday: 'High Rollers' on
History; Sunday: Super Bowl on CBS
(of course)
Monday, February 2, 2004
Television
Socko
Super Bowl: Viewing tops 2003
Overnight
figures: 44.2 rating with 89 million watching game. Will
be best since 1998's Green Bay-Denver matchup if #s hold.
Popcult
And
not a bad movie weekend either
Ticket
sales off but not by as much as you'd think. Top-grossing
flick: Teen-targeted
"You Got Served.' Also, hot books, DVDs. etc.
Magazines
What's
needed to revive Martha Stewart
Even if she beats
the rap, the title needs work. What to do? Cut back her presence, kick up
the sales effort, buff up her persona.
Sports
TV
Thin
ice indeed for NHL all-star game
Pro
hockey too. Low ratings may send it to cable. Expect ABC's Sunday game to
pull a household rating near last year's 1.7.
Out
of home
Your
client on traffic barricades
Got
a new store? Guide customers to the door. Attach
eye-catching signage that directs pedestrians.
This
week in television
High
rollers hit 'Las Vegas'
An
unlikely guest combo: 'Simple' Paris Hilton, former 'SNLer'
Lovitz & '90210's' Brian A. Green. See them get chippy at slots.
Web Shorts
MyDoom
paralyzes SCO site, as promised
Microsoft: Actually, we won't change Explorer
Google doesn't find Booble quite so funny
Lecter-like online killer gets reduced sentence
Tuesday, February 3, 2004
Television
Jackson:
Okay, so it was my booboo
As
Super Bowl furor builds, admits planning stunt
for halftime. Moral
indignation sweeps nation. Powell howls. Dean: Ah, so what?
Magazines
Rosie
takes a front seat at Martha trial
Mugs
for reporters, defending doyenne of domesticity. Cracks on prosecutors.
Today, government's key witness takes the stand.
Television
What
ABC needs to score in sweeps
Specials
that yank in viewers. 'Millionaire' returns. Also, the
Academy Awards and a new 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.'
Sports
TV
Oh,
and the ads? Bud wins again.
As
expected, spots rank tops in three Bowl polls. Interesting
oddity: Kids under 18 favored White House anti-drug spot.
This
week in television
Wave
goodbye
to 'Line of Fire'
ABC's
short-run series scoots, making way for 'NYPD Blue.' Don't count
on Richmond romp's return any time soon. No southern
comfort.
Web Shorts
Wednesday, February 4, 2004
Sports
TV
Readers:
Nipplegate was a threesome
Super Bowl halftime
b-shot planned by Janet, Justin and MTV.
Is it the ruin of TV's biggest event? No. Media's gone nuts.
Magazines
'Of
course. You must. You've got to.'
Martha's unmaker: Peter made me break the law.
Assistant stockbroker presents heart of feds' case against Stewart.
Television
CBS's
sweeps plan: No wacky stuff
Riding
strength of regular lineup, notably dramas.
Expect a few
schedule shifts and guest appearances. And it's got the Grammys.
Broadcast
recap
A
gaining 'Idol' bettering its debut
Numbers up in
second week and above last season's
average. Defying tradition of reality shows sinking in their third
year.
New
media
And
Super Bowl's top ad (gasp!) Cialis
Web
site sees 1,868 percent growth on game day, far outpacing
other advertisers' sites. Never mind that TV viewers snickered.
This
week in television
Touched
by 'Angel,' Cordelia awakens
The
dark WB drama hits 100 episodes tonight. Charisma Carpenter
returns. Will romance with Angel himself loom?
Thursday, February 5, 2004
Television
Fear
& Loathing: Nipplegate panic
Networks
shiver and slice their schedules. Janet Jackson booted from Grammy's. NBC
clips B-shot from 'ER.' 'Playmakers' axed.
Martha
trial
Faneuil:
I was never told to lie
Testifies
to conversations with Stewart and Bacanovic.
Star fed witness tells of pressure to go along with coverup of stock sale.
Television
NBC's
sweeps plan: Pull out all stops
Super-sizing
and sked moves to hold onto its lead in adults 18-49.
Three nights that count the most: Thursday, Tuesday and Monday.
Magazines
In magazines, hope does
spring eternal
Flood
of new, smaller titles targeting niches. A look at four you may not know about.
'You
can’t be
arrogant but you can be
enthusiastic.'
Cable
recap
In
this political year, Jon Stewart's rise
Comedy
Central show's audience grows with primaries, up 12 percent.
Alternative to Sunday chatters for the young and the hip.
This
week in television
Ready
to rumble: Duke & UNC
This
is men's college basketball at its best in Carolina, where
rivalry week continues on ESPN. Can UNC finally win one?
Friday, February 5, 2004
Thursday, February 09, 2012Sports
TV
NBA:
We'd like a little less Beyonce
Reacts
to Super Bowl b-shot, nixing 'Naughty Girl.' So how about she
sings 'Crazy in Love' for All-Star Game? It's an image
thing.
Television
Fox's
sweeps plan: 'Idol,' 'Idol,' Idol'
Wouldn't
you? Ready to chomp NBC's lead. Nights that matter the most: Tuesday and Wednesday, along with Monday.
Younger
viewers
'The O.C.' with 'Idol,'
great teen duo
Big
ratings jump for primetime soaper, a rerun yet, following
Fox's esteemed Wednesday warbler. Young'uns stay tuned.
Daypart
report
Dandy
dangler for 'Days of our Lives'
Revealed:
Dr. Marlena as infamous Salem stalker. Might we
have ever guessed that ratings would soar to a three-year high?
Rachel
speaks!
'Rachel,
how do I find good people?'
Look around you
first before you look outside.
Yes, lots of talent is on the street, but you're ahead when you
can promote within.
In
television this week
Best
tube bets this weekend
Friday: 'Ed' series finale on NBC; Saturday: TNT's NASCAR;
Sunday: NHL all-stars on ABC
Monday, February 16, 2004
Washington
Fear
& loathing: Pols puff up their ire
Expect
swift action forcing networks to clean up post-Janet.But also expect networks to scrub up primetime. Return to '50s?
Television
WB's sweeps plan: A few good shows
Riding on handful that work, with little stunting.
Its best hope is
to fend off a rising UPN. Still struggling to raise a laugh or
two.
Television
UPN's
sweeps plan: A Tyra by the tail
'America’s
Next Top Model' is its buzz-driving 'Idol.' With rising
ratings, a chance to trod over the WB. Lots of guest pop-ins.
Popcult
For
a change, music's tops at Grammys
Winners
are also artists with best-selling albums. No.
1 movie:
'Barbershop 2.' Also, what's hot in books and movie rentals.
Out
of home
Your
client lit up on the street
Signs
on sidewalks like you see at bus shelters. On busy streets, catching
business folks in the day and club-goers after it's dark.
This
week in television
On
WB's 'Everwood,' let's talk about s^e#x
Yikes!
Teen drama tackles tough subject for sweeps. Anxious Ephram.
Web Shorts
Paris
sues Panama company over sex tape
Microsoft's teen adversary sells off on eBay
Aussies invade Kazaa offices in copyright tiff
Coming soon to Metro: High-tech video ads
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Television
Groovy
Grammys, absent Jackson
Viewer
spike on late word naughty diva might show. Best numbers in three years,
though a falloff when curious realized she'd skipped.
Magazines
Score
a big one for Martha's defense
Establishes
she didn't sell stock on insider info. Attorney raises further doubts
about key government witness Faneuil's
credibility.
Sports
TV
Revving
up NASCAR against the NFL
New
rules aim to stem flight when football begins. They may to some degree.
But Sunday's Daytona will still be season's top event.
New
media
Winning
streak for a non-Super Bowl ad
Bare-butted
runner brings spike to gambling site. TV snippet of GoldenPalace.com
stuntman drives up traffic nearly 400 percent.
Reader
survey
Give
us your thoughts on the upfront
Will
advertisers get gouged again? Will there be a revolt this year?
How much will it go up? Or will it be flat against last year?
This
week in television
Going
blissfully to the dogs
Sit!
Beg! Roll over! Watch where you step tonight on USA Network as
cute pooches vie for big prizes.
Web Shorts
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Magazines
Sleepy
start for magazines in '04
January
ad pages off slightly from a year ago, though reported revenues were up
10.4 percent. Big gains for men's titles.
Conglomerates
Heat
is intensifying for Disney's Eisner
Stockholder protest
and now a hostile takeover bid. Today
cable giant Comcast announces $66 billion buyout offer.
Research
Janet,
still hot after all these days
Non-shocker:
More press than Super Bowl ads. Twice as many print mentions as commercials
in the days after breast-baring.
Broadcast
recap
Nifty
first sweeps Thursday for NBC
Stretched
'Friends' whacks 'Survivor: All-Stars.' Pairing with
the Donald boosts odds for beating Fox in key 18-49 demo.
Cable
recap
Bummer
of a Pro Bowl for ESPN
Worst
#s in years for post-season all-star game. Not helped by face-off with
Grammy Awards. Clocks a 3.9
household rating
This
week in television
Come
for the swimsuits,
stay for the articles
Spike,
the network for men, celebrates 40 years of the SI Swimsuit
issue. Fun facts about this year's edition.
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Magazines
Remaking
New York under Adam Moss
Thoughtful
advice on how to revive the sagging title.
Mix it up.
Be
willing to 'take risks
and cause trouble and be controversial.'
Martha
trial
A
case of coverup or just bad memory?
Conflicting
stories to FBI from Stewart and Bacanovic knock wind out of the argument that
the two plotted to mislead investigators
Reader
poll
Readers:
We expect a modest upfront
See
only slight gains in inventory sold and prices, following two
wallet-busters. Advertiser revolt? Forget about it. CBS will do best.
Television
The
very latest skinny on NBC's 'Joey'
And
a wrapup on the new shows coming this fall. Don't be surprised
to see the 'Friends' spinoff premiering during the May sweeps.
Daypart
update
Paul,
John, George, Ringo and Dave
Letterman beats
Leno with old clips of Fab Four. Could be something about the Beatles.
Helped too by guest Dr. Phil
McGraw.
This
week in television
A
white wedding tonight on 'Friends'
As
in, it snows. Then Phoebe & Mike get hitched. Only six more
episodes of the show left. Quality of those episodes still in
doubt.
Friday, February 20, 2004
Television
Surprise: CBS leaps
ahead in sweeps
Will it last?
Big force was peak for Grammy viewing Sunday. Leads 18-49s with 5.1
rating, ahead of NBC's 4.7 and Fox's 4.1.
New
media
Stunning growth for
web ad spending
Fourth-quarter
revenue hits $2.2B, surpassing 4Q 2000 high of $2.12B. Up 38 percent over
4Q 2003. Paid search is the sizzler.
Interview
A Valentine's
thought: 'U+Me = Grief'
Five and a half
questions with the folks at despair.com. A
site
for those millions of us who love eludes. Bittersweet treats.
Young
viewers
D'oh! 'Simpsons,'
ever
strong among teens
No wonder
there's again talk of an upcoming movie.
Bart boogies into top 10 among teens and kids 9-14.
Does dandy against the Grammys. Ay caramba.
Rachel
speaks!
'Rachel, what's a
good salary for me?'
Finding out what your job should be paying. You can talk to friends.
Certainly talk to headhunters. But also search the web.
In
television this week
Best tube bets this
weekend
Friday: USA's 'Perfect Husband;' Saturday: 'Charlie Brown' on ABC; Sunday:
NBC's Daytona 500
News
Shorts
'Friends' wedding lifts NBC to No. 1 Thursday
Fox sweeps to first Wednesday with 'Idol'
Indecency fine hike passes subcommittee
Stewart case returns from recess with more Farmer
Desperate Disney makes eyes at Time Warner
The cost of commercial shoots: Some $3.5B
Billboard touting Post circ steams Daily News
Web
Shorts
CIA expands WMD
search to the web
AOL warns: Buddylinks more like Buddyjinks
Scheming spammers ordered to return $25K
On eBay, buy former 'Bachelor' Buerge's ring
S. Korea bans bum-shaped V-Day chocolate
People
Max Kellerman leaves
ESPN after contract expiration
Ryan Seacrest replacing Rick Dees on the daily KIIS-FM radio show
BusinessWeek names John McShea New York regional sales director, Rik Gates
VP of international and North America sales, Terri Dufore Northwestern
regional sales director, John McGuire Midwest regional sales director and
Tanya Brown account manager for NY sales
Shop Etc. taps Angela Matusik as deputy editor, Kimberly Gieske as home
director and Clio McNicholl as photo director
Steven DeLuca named publisher of Rolling Stone
Brenda You and Mike Glynn exit Star’s West Coast bureau
Andrew Amill and Mary Murcko rise at Fairchild Publications
Carrie Glaser and Allison Morgenstern join Lucky magazine
Kelly Cobiella named New York-based correspondent for CBS News
Robin Schwartz named president of Regency Television
Marlo Thomas making five-episode guest appearance on ‘Law & Order: SVU’
‘Wire’ executive producer Robert Colesberry dies at 57
Staten Island Advance publisher Richard Edward Diamond dies at 71
California-based journalist Dean Wakefield dies at 53
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Television
Cleated
boot for MSNBC's top guy
Upstairs
for Sorenson. Ex-ABCer Kaplan steps in. His challenge:
Build a cable network clearly apart from CNN and Fox News.
Magazines
A
good thing in court for Martha
Actually,
more than a good thing in new rulings. Weaken
feds' argument that Stewart and Bacanovic conspired to cook a coverup.
Coming, the real test for Arena Football
How will it do this weekend without NASCAR? Car-racing as a lead-in pumped debut on NBC. Now it will go against lapsters.
Popcult
Return
to Clanton County with Grisham
Legal
puzzler bumps 'Da Vinci Code' on Times hardcover list.
Mississippi boiling: Murder, rape, revenge, amid fine points of law.
Weekend's top flick: '50 First Dates.' Top rental: Gooding's 'Radio.'
Out
of home
At
the ballpark, your client and a dog
How to put a message on stadium snack carriers.
And while
you're at it, put a sample or two in with the sodas and franks.
This
week in television
Women
uniting against 'Violence'
Can
we be serious for a moment? In support of V-Day, Lifetime airs a
documentary about women & violence. And celebrities.
Web Shorts
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Washington
Appeals
court: Do-not-call-list is legit
Rules
registry doesn't violate right of free speech. Slim appeals prospects.
Expect some of those telephone $s to go into media.
New
media
Looking
for love in all the wrong places
One
at least. Surge in at-work dating site traffic leading up to Valentine's Day. Also, a big bump to sites peddling flowers, etc.
Interview
Why
Brother Elk is
angry at Uncle Mel
Indian
leader on OutKast's war dance on the Grammys.
CBS erred in not chopping war paint and teepee stunt. Post-Jackson
boober.
Reader
survey
What
do you think of Comcast-Disney?
It is a bold
takeover bid for sure. But would the cable biggie make the best parent
for ABC? Who would do a better job? Talk to us.
This
week in television
Saving
Grace for '70s,
the lovely Ms. Hannigan
Former 'Buffy' star back in primetime as a girl cop cavorting with
Kelso at the academy. Spitfire spices up Fox's 'That '70s Show.'
Monday 'Fear Factor' finale feeds NBC big #s
Comcast claims it won't sweeten Disney deal
Stewart blow: Faneuil's friends' testimony OK
Second-best Daytona 500 ratings for NBC
'CSI's' Peterson says he'll walk after next year
Conan so sorry for insulting Canadians, eh?
People
Cindy Still appointed EVP consumer marketing for Gruner + Jahr USA
Sonia Lamba joins Troika Design Group as creative director
Todd Tamcsin named EVP of client services at Starmark International
TV One adds John Fant and Eric Claytor
Elizabeth Tumulty rises to WB SVP of affiliate relations and communications
‘Inside the Actors Studio’ host James Lipton acts on ‘Arrested Development’
ESPN’s Christine Dreissen joins WSF Board of Trustees
Dick Vitale among finalists for induction into basketball Hall of Fame
Mark Burnett, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Sylvester Stallone shop boxing pilot
Selma Blair stars as one of three wedding planner sisters in ABC pilot
Christopher Lloyd joins the cast of CBS baseball pilot ‘The Clubhouse’
Jeff Goldblum cast as therapy patient in NBC sitcom pilot
Robert Sean Leonard starring in Fox doctor drama project
Disney purchases Muppets for more than $100 million
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Magazines
Min's
Us is the real rising star
Sees
19 percent circ. gain in second-half '03, surpassing Fuller's Star,
which fell 12.9
percent. Chart of other gainers and losers.
Television
To
a theater near you, 'S*x and . . .'
Movie in the works to pick up storyline of HBO hit. Hinging on whether the
show's four stars will sign on for a big-screen version.
Broadcast
recap
NBC
swoops ahead on power of 'Shrek'
Sunday's
big green ogre movie carries network to its first 18-49 lead in sweeps.
Strong Sunday and Friday push NBC past CBS.
Cable
recap
Stunner All-Star Game,
even w/o Jordan
Off
from last year but still brings TNT huge numbers. Most-watched program on ad-supported cable
so far this
year with a 5.1 rating.
Martha
trial
In
the Stewart case, going gets tougher
With
the recent setbacks, prosecutors face a bigger challenge in persuading jurors
that Stewart lied to bolster her company's stock.
This
week in television
On
the couch with Dave,
Sarah J., Kim & Conan
Cattrall
and Parker dish on Sunday's 'S*x' finale on late night talkers
tonight. Will Big end up with Carrie? Any deaths? Any last
b-shots?
Fox's 'Idol' still potent enough on Wednesdays
Fox ahead with 'Idol' but NBC also strong Tuesday
G+J musical chairs round three, Spengler's out
'CSI' star: Uh, just kidding about me leaving
Uncle Mel warns Viacomers on indecency
Voy, the new net targeting young Hispanics
People
Atlantic Media promotes Matt Barba and Meredith Kopit
Bill Herriott named WGN-TV sports sales manager
Josephine Parr named Outside magazine communications director
Robert Weiss joins Fuse as head of programming
Ryan O’Hara upped to COO of the TV Guide Network
Andrew Levin named Clear Channel EVP of law and government affairs and chief legal officer
Stuart Brotman named president of Museum of Television & Radio
CNN’s Soledad O’Brien expecting twins
John Melendez defects from Howard Stern to Jay Leno
Friday, February 20, 2004
Magazines
Judge:
Nada, zero, for Rosie or G+J
Quips:
May
deserve each other but no monetary damages.
Finds both sides breached agreement creating ill-fated title.
Newspapers
A
new owner for the SF Examiner
Defanged:
Denver billionaire vows to pump it up.
Qwest founder Phil Anschutz will take on
dominant Hearst-owned Chronicle.
Television
NBC
slips past CBS to lead in sweeps
Credit
super-sizing and guests but also strong numbers for some top
shows. Whither Fox? Puffing somewhere behind.
London
Lush
life: New glory for old has-beens
Offers
flow in for contestants on goofy reality caper “I’m A
Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!” Ex-whatevers in jungle romp.
Rachel
speaks!
'Rachel,
help me with a career change'
'I
want to stay in media but not what I'm doing.' Our career
guru's
advice on how to leverage your experience to find a better job.
In
television this week
Best
tube bets this weekend
Friday: 'SportsCentury' on ESPN2; Saturday: 'Columbine' on
Showtime; Sunday: HBO's 'S*x'
News Shorts
Thursday's 'ER' paces sweeps leader NBC
Fox's 'Idol' power still potent enough on Wednesday
Martha friend: She said she had inside info
ESPN & Cox end spat with smaller rate hike
'Topic A' with Tina B tanking on CNBC
All the juicy details from Hef's little black book
Web Shorts
N.J.
mom sues RIAA for racketeering
AOL & Earthlink step up anti-spam campaigns
Arabian online gender gap: It's mostly men
Smell ya sooner with Brits' scented email
Monday, February 23, 2004
Television
With
its finale, a SAG award for 'S#x'
HBO
hit takes best ensemble in a comedy series on awards ceremony
airing on TNT. Pay cable network wins five of eight.
Younger
viewers
Steam
heat: Will they do it? (Or not?)
Best
teen ratings since 2002 for 'Everwood' episode. Top male teen
showing ever. Sorely needed boost for a struggling WB.
Television
NBA's
hot, but will it be hot for ABC?
Sunday
matchups face tougher competition for viewers.
Best hope: Strong showings on TNT
and ESPN pull eyeballs to games. So far, not so good. Four airings
so far down 13% in total viewers.
Popcult
Sweet
Valentine from Norah Jones fans
Second album
'Feels Like Home' tops the charts in first week.
'50 First Dates' stays at No. 1 over weekend. Poor showings for 'Mooseport,' 'Eurotrip' and Ryan's 'Ropes.' Top books and rentals.
Out
of home
Your
client in
stadium restrooms
Relief
pitchers: Talk to fans taking a game break.
One buy to put a message in pro football and baseball stadiums across
the entire country.
This
week in television
On
Fox, there goes the bride ...
In
the 'Fat' finale, Randi fights off her family to make it to the
altar and win the $. Is any amount worth that humiliation? Well,
yes.
Web Shorts
Want
Pepsi's free tunes? Hack the cap.
Microsoft upgrades Xbox Live with new features
Hollywood happy ending: Court bans DVD copies
Study predicts e-commerce will hit $100B
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Television
Once again,
'Millionaire' rescues ABC
This time, though,
it's from a truly dismal sweeps. How
times have changed from the show's heyday, when the network shot to No. 1.
Television
Readers: Eisner deserves
the heave-ho
Tag Disney chief as
responsible for ABC's woes. Is he getting a raw deal? No. The best parent for
the conglomerate? Comcast.
Research
Wherever teens
turn, it's s#x, s%x, s&x
Study: Now
pervasive in all media, not just TV, and it's gotten worse. Subject
of 6.7 scenes per hour of TV watched by young.
Interview
Behind the push to
keep 'Ed' on the air
Talking with
Jason Niner, leader of show's fans, on their efforts to get NBC to renew
the sitcom, including a $5,000 ad in Variety
New
media
On the web, it's
search and acquire
Here's shocker: We use engines to find the best deals. Or a fairly large
share of us do. Top choice among internet shoppers: Google.
This
week in television
Ruben returns on
'One and One'
'Idol's'
soulful star makes acting debut on UPN. Simon says his former favorite is
getting too big. Judge for yourself.
News
Shorts
Monday
'Millionaire' falters but 'Fiancé' soars
Solid Sunday return for ABC's 'Millionaire'
Judge considering Martha dismissal motion
Keller blasts Blair book in internal NYT memo
CBS orders guts cuts for 'Helter Skelter'
Stern rips Leno for 'stealing' Stuttering John
Swimsuit issue no SI for kids at Ohio school
Web Shorts
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Cable
recap
Hot finale indeed for 'S$x
and the City'
Tops networks in
key demos. At 10.6 million viewers, randy comedy's much-hyped end bests season
average by 74 percent.
Broadcast
recap
Growing strength of
'Without a Trace'
Though well behind
'ER,' a sweeps booster for CBS. Gaining in key demographics as NBC hospital
drama experiences slides.
Magazines
Martha's very bold
defense strategy
Or is it? Its very simplicity could be its genius. By not overloading the jury,
and not putting her on the stand, the job becomes easier.
This
week in television
Who wants to be
Meredith's mate?
Tonight ABC's 'Bachelorette'
makes her final choice. Will she choose country dude or New Yorker? Will
they marry next sweeps?
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Radio
Clear
Channel 86's Howard Stern
Could
this be an election year? Bar of soap for dirty-talker. Ousted from stations in six markets. Slap at Infinity
and Karmazin.
Television
Where
the real money is for sexy HBO
Not
in new subscribers but in DVDs and syndie.
Subs are actually flat, even with the popularity of 'Sex and the City' and 'Sopranos.'
New
media
Contagious
anger over pop-up ads
Study:
Resentment spreads to sites running them. 'Everyone we tested
spontaneously said something derogatory about pop-ups.'
Daypart
reports
Of
fire and passion on 'General Hospital'
Hotel
blaze heats up ratings to push show to No. 1
tie with NBC's 'Days of Our Lives. ('Maxie
begs a badly burned Mac not to die.')
Interview
Five
questions for the Times' biz editor
Larry
Ingrassia on its coverage of the big stories.
'These stories
cut to the heart of corporate ethics and
touch a lot of people’s lives.'
This
week in television
Mel
Gibson talks religion with Jay
On
NBC, yaks with Leno about this little movie he made, 'The
Passion of the Christ.' $60M opening weekend projected.
Friday, February 26, 2004
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Television
So who the devil is
Martin Bashir?
Is he the new
Babs? He's the Brit who did the famous Jacko special. What's ABC up to?
Ponder this weighty matter with us.
Television
Readers' choice:
'Rings' for top picture
Viewing will be up for Oscars, they tell us, responding to a poll. Best
actor pick: Sean Penn. Best actress pick: Charlize Theron.
Television
CBS-Fox duke-out for
No. 2 in sweeps
Fox behind a nose. Waited too late to pump 'Idol.' NBC at No. 1. Night to
watch: Monday, when goosed-up 'Idol' could best CBS.
Younger
viewers
'Big Superhero Wish'
comes true
For Nick. 'OddParents'
special tops with 12-17s. Timmy Turner and friends tie up with the Crimson
Chin for a tangle with villains.
Rachel
speaks!
'Rachel, get me out
of this town'
Our career columnist on the best markets for media positions. The good
news: Jobs are opening up as the economy improves.
In
television this week
Best tube bets this
weekend
Friday: Paris Hilton on ABC's 'George Lopez;' Saturday: 'Chicago' on Starz!;
Sunday: Oscarmania on E! and ABC.
Monday, March 1, 2004
Television
At
first glance, a winning Oscar night
Preliminary
count: 42.5 million viewers tuned in, a third more than last
year, despite few surprises. ABC will update #s this afternoon.
Stewart
trial
What's
left of the case against Martha
With
securities charge out, it's now he-said-she said. Real blessing
for Stewart is the jury is less likely to split the difference.
Sports
TV
Rising
appeal of 'Outside the Lines'
ESPN's
midnight look at deeper issues of sports sees 42 percent viewer gain.
Among its top shows after games and 'SportsCenter.'
Popcult
Passionate
turnout for Mel's 'Christ'
Mass
appeal: Weekend box office of $76.2 million. Controversial Gibson movie affirms
Americans' fascination with religious issues.
Out
of home
Talking
trash with your client's message
Ads
on receptacles at stadiums where fans line up. Yes, baseball season's
around the corner.
This
week in television
Unsolved
'Mystery' of Natalie Wood
ABC
examines her too-short life & death in original movie. What
really happened that night on the boat with Wagner and Walken?
Web Shorts
AOL
quietly cans broadband access plan
Study: U.S. internet users surpass 150M
Worried Microsoft wants caller ID for email
Spanish building $87M supercomputer
Tuesday,
March 2, 2004
Magazines Television New
media Interview New
media This
week in television News
Shorts Web
Shorts Wednesday,
March 3, 2004 Magazines Broadcast
recap Cable
recap This
week in television
Myrna rips loose on
women's titles
Book attacks
exploitation of women's fears. Blyth's 'Spin Sisters: How the Women of the
Media Sell Unhappiness and Liberalism to the Women of America,' from ex
Ladies' Home Journal editor.
With the Oscars,
it's all about the movie
Hugely popular
'Rings' draws 43.5 million viewers, best numbers since 'American Beauty' in
2000, proving its appeal beyond geeks
Rise of the old
guard on the internet
Study finds
older web advertisers cut back presence in 2003 while major offline players
up theirs.
X-10 falls off list of biggies.
On the thorny matter
of over-billing
More advertisers
are calling for audits of their ad agencies. An expert talks about how
common the problem is and why.
Hot movie season, at
least on the web
Traffic to sites
jumps, even as box offices suffer. Certainly much credit goes to controversy
over Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ.'
Once-down 'Hill' on
the rise at WB
Tonight
Sheryl Crow croons to the troubled teen crowd. They've lived through
break-ups, car wrecks and more in six short months.
Special
Monday 'Idol' lifts Fox past NBC
Big Academy Awards boost for ABC Sunday
Prosecutors rest their case against Martha
Blair's publisher: We're coming after NYT
No January bounce for radio revenues
New indecency proposal would plump fines
Premature static for 'Big Brother Bahrain'
Just
how dumb was Martha Stewart?
That's a key question
facing jurors as they ponder her fate. If she conspired to lie, why didn't she do a better job of it?
'Bachelorette':
Romance ain't like it was
Faltering finale, off
from last year, adds to ABC woes. Takes week with Oscars but, oh, what might have been with strong 'Millionaire.'
Laughs
and more from Dave
Chappelle
Comedy Central
show is its new ratings booster. Network gains 10 percent in 18-49s in
February, with much credit going to witster.
Cable's
new darling: Poker
Second
season of 'World Tour' on Travel Channel begins tonight. It has
sparked many imitators, from Bravo to NBC. No bluffing.
Thursday, March 4, 2004
Magazines
Dan sues G+J: Stop
dissing me
Rosie shade of
red: Brewster tears over smears. Says German chiefs are scapegoating him for
circulation scandal.
Television
Whither ABC with
Eisner's demotion?
Good question.
Answer: It can only help things. Network needs a real television whiz
leading it. Is there a Peter in the house?
Television
Sweeps wrapup:
Winners and losers
NBC finishing No.
1, helped by a faltering Fox. Network by network tally of ratings and what
shows helped or hurt their performances.
Daypart
reports
Conan, bow
northward in thanks
'Late Night'
ratings record following Quebec flap. (Blame Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
for saying such nasty things about French.)
Interview
Down Under, a
quote-cooker uncovered
A quip that
was too perfect to be real wasn't. How a blogger (named Blair) smoked out a
Chicago Tribune writer's fabrication.
This
week in television
Princess Diana, in
her own words
NBC plays
never-before-heard tapes of the late royal tonight. Everything Di touches
turns to ratings gold. Bumps 'ER' off sked.
Friday, March 5, 2004
Television
Mike:
Actually, I plan to stick it out
George: I can work it out. Stockholders: Say wha?
Disney looks a
little like Northern Ireland. Looks can be deceiving.
Television
Votes for Martha by
a jury of peers
Up for six
Daytime Emmys for her syndicated TV show. Consolation as she awaits
jury's verdict in her criminal trial.
Television
Why Hispanics pay
more heed to spots
Study: Perceive TV as informational, as news, less entertainment. Watch
more ads all the way through and rely on them when buying.
Younger
viewers
Steady upward climb
for 'One Tree Hill'
WB's teener
making a bummer year a bit less bum. Now bettering 'Smallville's' numbers
after slow start, as Fox's '24' sags in teens.
Rachel
speaks!
'Rachel, so when do
I see the money?'
The economy is
better but my paycheck isn't. Answer: Call it the trickle effect. As
salaries ease up for new hires, you stand to gain.
In
television this week
Best tube bets this
weekend
Friday: NBC's 'Dateline' interview with Jayson Blair; Saturday: UNC-Duke
on ESPN; Sunday: TLC 'Trading Spaces' special
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