Oscars Bank on 'Brokeback' to Grab Viewers (AP)

March 5, 2006

Multiple Oscar nominee George Clooney arrives for the 78th Academy Awards Sunday, March 5, 2006, in Los Angeles. Clooney is nominated for best actor in a supporting role for his work in 'Syriana,' as well as best director and best original screenplay for 'Good Night, and Good Luck.'   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)AP - The year of the small movie could mean small ratings for the Academy Awards, whose organizers hoped a new host and the cultural buzz over front-runner "Brokeback Mountain" would beef up viewership for Sunday's show.


'The Unit' benefits from current events and fears (Reuters)

March 5, 2006

Reuters - Jack Bauer is about to have some company. For four years, he and the other members of the fictional Counter Terrorism Unit on Fox's "24" had to save the world pretty much on their own. Now, reflecting society's growing awareness of violent extremists, a new TV series has been developed to deal with them.

'Sons & Daughters' a smartly improvised comedy (Reuters)

March 5, 2006

Reuters - TV history is filled with examples of hits that spawned a slew of imitators. In some cases, like "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Law & Order," the sequels came from the very same producers as the originals.

'South Park' Creators Get Bolder With Age (AP)

March 5, 2006

South Park creators Trey Parker, left, and Matt Stone are photographed at their offices in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 14, 2005. Over the years, Stone and Parker have reached beyond their cartoon comfort zone. ( AP Photo/Ann Johansson, file)AP - "South Park" has gotten grosser over the years — but its creators are getting away with it.


CBS Anchor Bob Schieffer Hits 1 Year Mark (AP)

March 5, 2006

AP - Bob Schieffer may come across as everybody's easygoing grandfather, but don't be so easily fooled. A companion at a New York restaurant hasn't been seated for a minute before Schieffer casually pulls a sheet of paper from his suit jacket. Oh, look! It's a news release showing how ratings for the "CBS Evening News" have gone up in the year since he's been anchor.

Oscars can be night of high points and faux pas (Reuters)

March 5, 2006

Students from the Inner-City Filmmakers School carry actual Oscar statuettes, to be presented to winners at the 78th annual Academy Awards, down the red carpet and into the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood March 4, 2006. The Oscars will be handed out on Sunday. REUTERS/Peter JonesReuters - Comedian Chevy Chase opened the Oscars in 1988 with the line: "Good evening, Hollywood phonies," and never hosted the show again.