"Commander" Recalled
May 3, 2006
Who did in President Allen? Was it Dr. House? The American Idols? Zack Morris?
The conspiracy theories are endless; "Commander in Chief" isn't. For the second time this season, ABC has pulled rank on President Mackenzie Allen's TV administration and pulled the freshman White House drama from its schedule effective immediately.
Costar Donald Sutherland told the UPI news service Tuesday that "'Commander in Chief' is over, as of two hours ago."
The network's decision won't be final until May 16, when it unveils its new fall schedule.
"Commander" Conspiracy Theories (E! Online)
May 3, 2006
E! Online - Who did in President Allen? Was it Dr. House? The American Idols?
Zack Morris?
NBC Webcast Curtailed to Hit Lunch Hour (AP)
May 3, 2006AP - NBC News is webcasting its "Today" show each morning — but only the first hour of it to make the program available by lunchtime on the East Coast, a move that allows West Coast stations to air the entire program first.
President Logan of Fox's '24' Is a Bad Guy (AP)
May 3, 2006
AP - Hail to this chief! Hail his cowardice and grandiosity, his toxic ambition and wishy-washy principles. And be sure to pay tribute to that foppish way he cocks his head, a pretense of authority that only reaffirms his self-doubt.
Trial in Center Stage on 'Veronica Mars' (AP)
May 3, 2006AP - Inching toward its season finale, Veronica Mars brought a little closure to last season's big mystery — the murder of her best friend Lilly Kane. But in this teen heroine's world, closure doesn't last long.
Davis Awarded As ABC Shelves 'Commander' (AP)
May 3, 2006
AP - On the same day Geena Davis accepted an award for her portrayal of a female president, ABC shelved "Commander in Chief" for the crucial May ratings sweeps.
Senators resist fast vote on decency fines (Reuters)
May 3, 2006
Reuters - Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's
quest for a quick vote to hike fines on broadcast television
stations, radio outlets and entertainers that violate decency
standards met fast resistance from both Republicans and
Democrats on Wednesday.
Senate leader seeks to boost TV decency fines (Reuters)
May 3, 2006
Reuters - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill
Frist plans to ask the Senate to vote to boost fines on
broadcast television, radio stations and entertainers for
violating decency standards, according to an e-mail obtained on
Wednesday.
Time Warner in talks with Liberty on Court TV (Reuters)
May 3, 2006Reuters - Time Warner Inc is holding discussions with Liberty Media Inc. on purchasing Liberty's 50 percent stake in cable channel Court TV as well as on a potential asset exchange, Time Warner Chief Executive Richard Parsons said on Wednesday.
Chris Young Is Latest 'Nashville Star' (AP)
May 3, 2006
AP - Chris Young of Murfreesboro, Tenn. won the "Nashville Star" talent search during the series' finale Tuesday night on the USA Network.
Geena Davis Honored for Role As President (AP)
May 3, 2006AP - To the strains of "Hail to the Chief," actress Geena Davis accepted an award night for her television portrayal of the first woman president of the United States from an organization which is seeking to turn fiction into reality.
Prisoner Watches Daughter on 'Idol' (AP)
May 3, 2006AP - Watching his "American Idol" daughter from prison made the time pass faster, Clyde "Bo" Pickler says.
Time Warner Profit Climbs to $1.46 Billion (AP)
May 3, 2006
AP - Media conglomerate Time Warner Inc. reported Wednesday that its first-quarter profit climbed nearly 60 percent, driven by growth in its cable TV division and gains from the sale of its book group and other assets.
'Baywatch' Actress Seeks Motley Divorce (AP)
May 3, 2006AP - "Baywatch" actress Donna D'Errico has filed for divorce from her husband of nine years, Motley Crue bass player Nikki Sixx.
ABC to Show Spelling Bee in Prime Time (AP)
May 3, 2006
AP - For the first time in its 79-year history, the National Spelling Bee — the original "reality TV" — will go prime time for next month's drama-filled finals. Thanks to recent movies, books and even a Broadway musical, young spellers are suddenly hot. After 12 years of showings by the sports cable network ESPN, the final rounds of the two-day Scripps National Spelling Bee will be shown live Thursday evening, June 1, on the ABC network.
Suicide bomber kills at least 18 in Iraq (Reuters)
May 3, 2006
Reuters - A suicide bomber blew himself up
among a crowd of men waiting to sign up to join the police
force in the Iraqi city of Falluja on Wednesday, killing at
least 18 people, doctors said.
Fox, ABC tied in key race as season nears end (Reuters)
May 3, 2006
Reuters - Fox bagged the top three
shows among adults 18-49 last week, and ABC had three in the
top 10 as the networks tied in the coveted demographic in the
final weeks of the season.
MTV enlists celebs to sway advertisers (Reuters)
May 3, 2006
Reuters - MTV Networks rolled out Jon
Stewart, Sarah Silverman, Stephen Colbert and even Dora the
Explorer to sell advertisers on its schedule for the coming
season Tuesday.
Marine's story inspires Iraq movie at HBO (Reuters)
May 3, 2006
Reuters - HBO has ordered a movie
based on a U.S. Marine's experience transporting the body of a
fallen colleague home from Iraq.
ABC recalls "Commander in Chief" (Reuters)
May 3, 2006
Reuters - ABC has pulled its White
House drama "Commander in Chief" off the schedule for the rest
of the season, following a low-rated run plagued by
behind-the-scenes turmoil and scheduling interruptions.
Television Host Louis Rukeyser Dies (AP)
May 3, 2006
AP - Louis Rukeyser, a best-selling author, columnist, lecturer and television host who delivered pun-filled, commonsense commentary on complicated business and economic news, died Tuesday. He was 73.