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Daily Archives : Dec 1, 2008

Economy Has Oprah Turning Thrifty

Lavish gifts are out on Oprah Winfrey’s show, a clear sign of deeply the weak economy is affecting the country in general and television in particular, the Chicago Tribune reports. This year, Oprah’s favorite things cost “next to nothing,” according…

‘Lipstick’ Needs Fans to Turn Off DVRs

NBC is looking to see if its series “Lipstick Jungle” can attract more of its fans to watch live on Friday nights before deciding whether to cancel it, the New York Times says. Advertisers prefer live viewers because they can’t…

Comcast Fights Verizon in Philly

Comcast is lobbying Philadelphia city council members to try to slow down Verizon’s efforts to build its FiOS TV network in the cable giant’s hometown, Philadelphia Metro reports. “I can understand they [Comcast] want this thing to be handled how…

Obama Meets Brokaw for ‘Press’ Interview

President-elect Barack Obama will sit down with Tom Brokaw for an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Daily Variety reports. The interview will air Sunday, the trade paper says. Brokaw has served as interim host for “Press” since Tim Russert…

Winner Jumps from ‘Runway’ to Payless

“Project Runway” winner Christian Siriano has made a deal with Payless ShoeSource to distribute a line of low-priced shoes and handbags, the New York Post says. “I have a pretty huge fan base, not to toot my own horn,” Siriano…

‘Simpsons’ Writer-Producer Team Sign With UTA

Mike Scully and wife Julie Thackner-Scully, writers and producers for “The Simpsons” have signed a deal with UTA, the Hollywood Reporter says. The husband-and-wife team has also worked on Fox’s “The Pitts” and ABC’s “The Savages.” Scully has been with…

A ‘Special’ Season on Television

USA Today has put together a handy guide to when those beloved holiday season favorites will be airing on television this month. Specials range from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” tonight to “Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on…

CNN Meets Papers to Pitch News Service

CNN is holding a Newspaper Summit this week to discuss plans to broaden the news service its been offering local papers for the past month, the New York Times reports. The CNN service compete with the Associated Press, whose members have…

Costello Show Sings New Talk Show Tune

Elvis Costello’s new show on Sundance Channel, “Spectacle,” features musicians talking about—and playing the music they love, the Associated Press says. Guests on the series begin with Elton John and include Lou Reed and noted sax player Bill Clinton. —Jon…

ESPN’s Corso Key Figure in HBO Doc

HBO’s new documentary “Breaking the Huddle” focuses on the integration of college football in the south, USA Today says. Darryl Hill was recruited by assistant Maryland coach Lee Corso, now analyst on ESPN’s “College GameDay.”  “I’ll bet you it ain’t…