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Monthly Archives : February 2009

Disney World Unveils ‘Idol’ Park

Disney World has opened its “American Idol”-themed Idol Experience attraction, USA Today reports. The opening event Thursday united all seven previous winners and other contestants from the Fox singing competition for the first time ever, USA Today notes. —Sergio Ibarra

Comcast Execs Forgo 2009 Raises

Comcast Corp.’s top executives will forgo their annual raises this year, Reuters reports. The company made the announcement in a regulatory filing; it will affect compensation packages for CEO Brian Roberts, chief financial officer Michael Angelakis, chief operating officer Stephen…

Sykes to Perform for White House Correspondents

Comedic actress Wanda Sykes has been tapped to perform at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner May 9, the Associated Press reports. “The first thing I did when they asked me to do this gig—I made sure my taxes…

Boston’s WHDH Axes 11 p.m News Team

WHDH-TV in Boston has reshuffled its 11 p.m. news team after the channel’s ratings during the time period began to plunge, the Boston Globe reports. The station has let its late-night anchors and executive news producer go, the newspaper says….

Harris to Stream NAB Events Online

Harris will host live video feeds from this year’s National Association of Broadcasters gathering in April, TVNewsday reports. The live videos from the NAB Show floor, demonstrations and presentations will bring a “near real-time NAB experience” to those broadcasters not…

’24’ Director Cassar Tapped for Pilot

Jon Cassar, the executive producer and director of “24,” has been hired to direct the CBS drama pilot “Washington Field,” about FBI agents working on critical cases, the Hollywood Reporter says. Separately, Michael Fresco will direct ABC’s untitled Dave Hemingson…

CBS, ABC Cast Dramas

“Jericho” alum Lennie James has been tapped for CBS’ untitled drama about prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan, playing a former assistant DA working as a paralegal after being disbarred, the Hollywood Reporter says. Meanwhile, Lauren German has…

Lionsgate Signs ‘Weeds’ Writer

Lionsgate’s television division has signed a seven-figure deal with “Weeds” writer Matthew Salsberg, who will create and develop comedies for the company, Daily Variety reports. The two-year production and development deal also moves Salsberg up to executive producer on “Weeds”…

Fox Sports Looks at Costs

Fox Sports is looking closely at costs, and travel expenses have been cut back and deals with vendors have been renegotiated, chairman David Hill said on a conference call before this weekend’s Daytona 500, the Hollywood Reporter says. The network…

NPR, Fox in Commentator Fix

National Public Radio has asked Fox News Channel to stop identifying Juan Williams, the commentator the two networks share, as an NPR commentator, after some NPR listeners were angered by Williams’ comments on Fox’s “The O’Reilly Factor” about first lady…