Tv News
1. 'Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites' winner crowned
By DERRIK J. LANG - May 11, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- Parvati Shallow was the last woman standing on "Survivor: Micronesia -- Fans vs. Favorites."The 25-year-old boxer and charity organizer from Los Angeles outwitted, outlasted and outplayed her competitors -- both "favorite" former castaways and "fan"...
2. Jennie Garth returning to West Beverly for '90210' spinoff
By Associated Press - May 11, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- The wild kids of television's West Beverly High will have a guidance counselor familiar with the posh ZIP code's dating, drugs and drama.Jennie Garth will reprise her role as Kelly Taylor and join the cast of a planned "Beverly Hills, 90210" spinoff on...
3. Person close to talks: NBC installing Fallon on 'Late Night'
By DAVID BAUDER - May 11, 2008
NEW YORK -- Jimmy Fallon will officially be given the keys to NBC's "Late Night" franchise following Conan O'Brien's exit.A person close to the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement hadn't been made confirmed the widely rumored change...
4. TV viewership still down after strike
By DAVID BAUDER - May 11, 2008
NEW YORK -- Television heads into its biggest week with the hangover from a 100-day writers strike persisting.Viewership is down, although it's hard to tell how much the strike is to blame. This week's "upfront" presentations by broadcasters outlining their fall...
5. David Archuleta's dad loses 'American Idol' backstage pass
By LYNN ELBER - May 9, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- Backstage meddling has caught up "American Idol" favorite David Archuleta's dad, who's been banned from rehearsals, a person working for the TV talent contest said Friday.Jeff Archuleta was told this week by producers that he can no longer join 17-year-old...
6. TV Lookout: highlights for the week ahead, May 11-17
By FRAZIER MOORE - May 9, 2008
What could you learn about reality while immersing yourself for months in virtual reality?Filmmaker Douglas Gayeton ponders life's big issues by means of a digital surrogate in "Molotov Alva and His Search for the Creator: A Second Life Odyssey," premiering 8 p.m. EDT Thursday on Cinemax.Its...
7. Narrow escapes for CNN reporter in Myanmar
By DAVID BAUDER - May 9, 2008
NEW YORK -- A CNN reporter who left Myanmar Friday was chased by authorities as he reported on the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis but escaped primarily because of the incompetence of the people after him.Dan Rivers hid under a blanket at one police checkpoint and casually...
8. Walters: Jones going through 'difficult time'
By Associated Press - May 9, 2008
WASHINGTON -- Barbara Walters says she refuses to engage in a debate with Star Jones, who accused her of revealing a past affair with a senator just to sell books. Walters said despite the public rift, she prefers to hold onto the good times the former co-hosts shared on...
9. 3 'Idol' finalists bask in adoration of hometown fans
By The Associated Press - May 9, 2008
Everywhere they go, "American Idol" contestants attract a crowd of admirers, well-wishers, gushy handmade signs and screams fit for a vintage Beatle. But when it comes to feting finalists, home is where the "I (heart) you" is.In what's become an annual "Idol" rite of passage, the remaining three...
10. Speedy new character debuts on new season of NBC's `Heroes'
By DERRIK J. LANG - May 9, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- She's not just fast. She's very fast.Meet Daphne, the speedy new character on NBC's "Heroes," who plans to give the show's superhumans -- especially time traveler Hiro and his sidekick, Ando -- a run for their money when she debuts on the popular NBC...
11. Jeff Probst: Surviving 16 seasons of `Survivor'
By FRAZIER MOORE - May 8, 2008
NEW YORK -- After all this time, you don't associate Jeff Probst with traffic gridlock, yowling sirens, or office towers crowding the sky.It's not that Probst seems out of place in a metropolis like New York. It's just that, after hosting 16 seasons of CBS' "Survivor"...
12. Study of 'Daily Show': It's a lot like O'Reilly
By DAVID BAUDER - May 8, 2008
NEW YORK -- A journalism think tank studying "The Daily Show" doesn't believe many people get their news from Jon Stewart -- because otherwise they wouldn't get the jokes.The Project for Excellence in Journalism also said it was surprised at how much the Comedy Central...
13. Whoopi Goldberg will serve as host of the 2008 Tony Awards
By Associated Press - May 8, 2008
NEW YORK -- It will be Whoopi and Tony. Whoopi Goldberg will serve as host of the 2008 Tony Awards June 15 at Radio City Music Hall, the show's executive producers, Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss, announced Thursday. "I love Broadway and I'm thrilled to be doing...
14. NBA playoff matchup No. 1 on cable for April 28-May 4
By The Associated Press - May 8, 2008
Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week of April 28-May 4. Day and start time (EDT) are in parentheses:1. NBA Playoffs: Phoenix vs. San Antonio (Tuesday, 9:39 p.m.), TNT, 3.53 million homes, 4.66 million viewers.2. Movie: "Chasing Zoey" (...
15. 'CSI' star Gary Dourdan charged with felony drug possession
By Associated Press - May 8, 2008
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- "CSI" co-star Gary Dourdan has been charged with felony possession of heroin, cocaine and ecstasy stemming from his arrest last month, prosecutors said.The 41-year-old actor was arrested after police found him asleep in his car in Palm Springs on...
16. On the Net: A bug's life thrives online
By JAKE COYLE - May 8, 2008
Online video might still be relegated to relatively small screens, but the size is just right for bugs.No, we're not talking about software bugs (though those viruses can indeed still rear their heads), but good ol' insects. There are, naturally, numerous scientifically minded sites like...
17. A mother and child reunion for TV actors in mom's day salute
By MICHAEL CIDONI - May 8, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- Not every one of these Mother's Day celebrants is really a mom -- but they play one on TV.On-screen children honored their television mothers at "A Mother's Day Salute to TV Moms," an event put on by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.Attendees...
18. Dan Rather files amended lawsuit against CBS over his firing
By SAMUEL MAULL - May 8, 2008
NEW YORK -- Dan Rather has filed an amended lawsuit against CBS that says other TV networks refused to hire him because of the damage executives at his former company did to his reputation after a disputed 2004 report on President Bush.Rather's lawyer, Martin R. Gold,...
19. Star Jones lashes out at Barbara Walters about memoir
By Associated Press - May 7, 2008
NEW YORK -- Nearly two years after Star Jones left "The View" on rocky terms, the 46-year-old TV personality has criticized former boss Barbara Walters for writing about her. In Walters' new memoir, "Audition," she discusses how Jones wouldn't acknowledge her gastric...
20. Coldplay to help ESPN market European Championship soccer
By Associated Press - May 7, 2008
BRISTOL, Conn. -- Coldplay and ESPN are teaming up on a soccer marketing campaign.The rock band's music will be featured in promotions for ESPN's coverage next month of the European Championship soccer tournament, the sports network announced Wednesday.ESPN agreed to...
21. `Crocodile Hunter' widow settles lawsuit with debt collector
By Associated Press - May 7, 2008
MELBOURNE, Australia -- The widow of television's "Crocodile Hunter" reached a confidential settlement Wednesday with creditors who claimed the family's zoo owed them $2.3 million.Alyssa Treasury Services, a debt recovery agency, had sued Australia Zoo -- the wildlife...
22. `Dancing With the Stars' eliminates another celebrity
By DERRIK J. LANG - May 6, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- It was the 100th episode of "Dancing With the Stars" -- but the last for Mario.The 21-year-old R&B singer and his professional partner, Karina Smirnoff, were eliminated during Tuesday's results show, which also served as a special celebration of the ABC...
23. Sue Johanson ending `Talk Sex' on Oxygen after six seasons
By DAVID BAUDER - May 6, 2008
NEW YORK -- Sunday night is getting less steamy.Oxygen's "Talk Sex" call-in show with colorful septugenarian educator Sue Johanson is ending its run after six seasons, the network announced Tuesday.The final show airs at midnight Sunday."I'm going to miss it terribly,"...
24. TV Guide names new top editor after sale closes
By Associated Press - May 6, 2008
NEW YORK -- TV Guide promoted two executives to top editorial roles Tuesday, days after the previous leadership departed amid the acquisition of the magazine's parent company.Debra Birnbaum was named editor-in-chief, replacing Ian Birch, who was among those who departed...
25. Vanessa Williams finally getting her degree from Syracuse
By Associated Press - May 6, 2008
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Nearly 25 years after leaving Syracuse University, Vanessa Williams will get her bachelor of fine arts degree this weekend. The 45-year-old actress-singer, who stars in ABC's "Ugly Betty," will also deliver the convocation address Saturday to graduates...
