Bob Woodruff Sends Message to Co-Workers (AP)
April 6, 2006
AP - Bob Woodruff wanted to deliver the news to his colleagues himself: He's moving on to outpatient care for injuries he suffered in Iraq and enjoying family life, the ABC anchorman said in a written message.
Spielberg joins Fox network for reality TV show (Reuters)
April 6, 2006Reuters - Director Steven Spielberg has joined with the Fox television network for his first reality show, an "American Idol"-like contest to find the nation's next great filmmaker, Fox said on Thursday.
Rabbi aims to spread shalom on reality TV show (Reuters)
April 6, 2006Reuters - A rabbi known for books like "Kosher Sex" and for his now-lapsed friendship with pop star Michael Jackson is turning to reality television with a new show about troubled families called "Shalom in the Home."
Free-spirit Vieira to replace Couric on 'Today' (Reuters)
April 6, 2006
Reuters - Meredith Vieira, the free-spirited
veteran newswoman on daytime TV chat show "The View," will
replace Katie Couric as co-host of the nation's top morning
show, NBC's "Today," the network said on Thursday.
Spielberg Gets Real for Fox (E! Online)
April 6, 2006
E! Online - Mr.
Billion-Dollar Box Office is teaming with reality mastermind Mark
Burnett for On the Lot, an American Idol-meets-The
Apprentice-style Fox reality series that aims to find the next,
well, Steven Spielberg.
"Idol" results show gives Fox a Wednesday win (Reuters)
April 6, 2006
Reuters - In an unsurprising
ratings performance, the "American Idol" results show lifted
Fox to a nightly win on Wednesday.
Martha Stewart to Launch Line for Macy's (AP)
April 6, 2006
AP - Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. said Thursday it will design a line of upscale home merchandise for Federated Department Stores Inc., operator of the Macy's and Bloomingdale's chains, set to roll out next year in Macy's across the country.
'Veronica Mars' Episode Ends With a Bang (AP)
April 6, 2006AP - This week's episode of "Veronica Mars" ended with a "kaboom" — Shark Stadium was blown up with someone still inside. (Spoiler Alert: If you've recorded this episode for later viewing, stop reading now.)
"Hades" offers surprises in familiar virus thriller (Reuters)
April 6, 2006Reuters - There's nothing particularly new in the way "The Hades Factor" plays on our fears about terrorism and unstoppable viruses, but it is all done quite effectively.
Women Hail Couric's Move to Anchor Chair (AP)
April 6, 2006
AP - When people used to ask Connie Chung if a woman would ever get to anchor the network evening news all by herself, she'd say: "Not in my lifetime."
"Avenger" pursues revenge instead of believable plot (Reuters)
April 6, 2006Reuters - In this moody, stylish and sometimes incomprehensible TNT original, Sam Elliott -- still looking like the reincarnation of Mark Twain -- plays a human track-down artist who in truth seems better suited to the world of video games.
Team Burnett-Spielberg
April 6, 2006
Steven Spielberg is ready to pull a Donald Trump.
Mr. Billion-Dollar Box Office is teaming with reality mastermind Mark Burnett for "On the Lot," an "American Idol"-meets-"The Apprentice"-style Fox reality series that aims to find the next, well, Steven Spielberg.
Per a network press release, 16 finalists will be divided into two teams and each group has to produce (and write, and direct, and castÂ…) a short film each week.
News Corp. to Put Takeover Defense to Vote (AP)
April 6, 2006AP - News Corp., the media conglomerate controlled by Rupert Murdoch, has reached a settlement with a group of shareholders who sued the company over its handling of a "poison pill" anti-takeover defense.
Meredith Vieira Getting Set for New Role (AP)
April 6, 2006
AP - Already flashing signs of an easy rapport with Matt Lauer four months after their first "blind date," Meredith Vieira was introduced Thursday as his new "Today" show partner.
Vieira Ditches "View," Replaces Couric (E! Online)
April 6, 2006
E! Online - Apparently, Meredith Vieira would rather wake up next to Matt Lauer than
Star Jones Reynolds. Not that we blame her.
Naveen Andrews Finds Himself in L.A. (AP)
April 6, 2006AP - Naveen Andrews is a few paces from a wind-swept beach, with nothing but a glass of water to sustain him.
Mandisa Gets the "Idol" Boot (E! Online)
April 6, 2006
E! Online - Mandisa, it seems, is not even a little bit country.
McEntire to Host Country Music Awards (AP)
April 6, 2006
AP - Reba McEntire is back as host of the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Maxim Cover of Eva Longoria Supersized (AP)
April 6, 2006
AP - For air travelers flying over southern Nevada this week, the view offers more than miles of dusty desert.
ABC's Vieira to replace Couric at NBC's "Today" (Reuters)
April 6, 2006
Reuters - ABC talk show host Meredith Vieira
will replace Katie Couric as co-host of NBC's "Today" show, the
nation's leading morning program, NBC said on Thursday.
"Idol" Boots Mandisa
April 6, 2006
Mandisa, it seems, is not even a little bit country.
The big-voiced "American Idol" contestant, whose powerful pipes earned her the nickname "Mandiva," became the latest casualty of the talent search Wednesday after her performance of Shania Twain's "Any Man of Mine" was deemed "horrible" by Simon Cowell during Tuesday's episode.
Vieira Ditches "View"
April 6, 2006Just one day after Katie Couric announced she was ditching her morning gig on NBC to take over the "CBS Evening News," "The View" co-hostess kept the game of network musical chairs alive, announcing on the Thursday morning chatfest that she will succeed Couric as "Today" show anchor this fall.
Meredith Vieira to Replace Katie Couric (AP)
April 6, 2006
AP - A day after Katie Couric announced she was leaving for CBS, NBC has chosen Meredith Vieira as Matt Lauer's new partner on the "Today" show.
Bill Cosby Returning to Cincinnati (AP)
April 6, 2006
AP - Hey, hey, hey: Bill Cosby has decided it's time to return to Cincinnati.
Russell Simmons and Wife Plan Fundraiser (AP)
April 6, 2006
AP - Russell Simmons and his wife, Kimora Lee, have announced their separation — but the couple plan to host a fundraiser Saturday at Donald Trump's estate in West Palm Beach.
MGM unveils new TV venture for eastern Europe (Reuters)
April 6, 2006
Reuters - MGM Networks and chellomedia, a division
of Liberty Global Inc., announced on Thursday a joint venture
to roll out the MGM Channel across eastern Europe via cable and
direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting.
Giant Eva Longoria Graces Nevada Desert (AP)
April 6, 2006
AP - For air travelers flying over southern Nevada this week the view offers more than miles of dusty desert. A giant, bikini-clad Hollywood star perched on the desert sands is not a mirage, but a re-creation of a Maxim magazine cover.
Poll: Viewers Prefer Couric in the Morning (AP)
April 6, 2006
AP - If Katie Couric is to make her move to the "CBS Evening News" a success, she'll need more people like Amy Lindgren.
IOC sees hike in 2010-2012 Games TV rights revenues (Reuters)
April 6, 2006Reuters - The global broadcasting rights deal for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and 2012 London Summer Games is expected to be about 30 percent higher than the previous Turin/Beijing rights package, the IOC said on Thursday.
Peabody heads "South" to controversial cartoon (Reuters)
April 6, 2006Reuters - It might not be Mel Gibson or Tom Cruise's favorite show, but the jurors for television's prestigious Peabody Awards threw a bouquet Comedy Central's way Wednesday with an honor for "South Park."
"Today" is yesterday for Couric (Reuters)
April 6, 2006
Reuters - The worst-kept secret in
the media industry broke in technicolor Wednesday, with Katie
Couric telling NBC viewers she will leave "Today" next month to
join "CBS Evening News" as anchor/managing editor.
Rosie's "Family Cruise" a real trip (Reuters)
April 6, 2006Reuters - After watching this sweet and often moving HBO documentary from filmmaker Shari Cookson, I've got just one question: where do I put in to have a gay couple raise my kids?
Fox's "House" sets new post-"Idol" mark Tuesday (Reuters)
April 6, 2006Reuters - "House" continues to build a strong foundation for Fox after the Tuesday edition of "American Idol," delivering its strongest ratings ever in viewers and the coveted adults 18-49 demographic.
ESPN lights up "Bronx" series (Reuters)
April 6, 2006Reuters - ESPN is developing "The Bronx Is Burning," an eight-episode drama recounting the New York Yankees' championship run in 1977 while the city nearly collapsed amid racial tension, fear of serial killer Son of Sam, a crippling economic crisis and even an East Coast blackout.
Whoopi Goldberg set for "Criminal" role (Reuters)
April 6, 2006Reuters - Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg is set to guest-star on the NBC drama "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" in a potential recurring role.
"Joey" sidekick lines up CBS sitcom pilot (Reuters)
April 6, 2006Reuters - "Joey" co-star Paulo Costanzo has joined CBS' untitled comedy pilot about an engaged couple, a married couple and a happily single guy.