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Tom Gilbert 4,032 Entries
Tom Gilbert

Sawyer’s ABC Debut Focused on Serious

Diane Sawyer’s debut as anchor of “World News” was draped “in utter seriousness,” New York Times critic Alessandra Stanley says in a review. Her first night, the critic wrote, signaled “the return of the alpha anchors.” –Elizabeth Jensen

Fox to Turn Yellow in New Year for More ‘Simpsons’ Anniversary Tribute

Fox will drape its graphics in yellow for the week of Jan. 3 as a tribute to the 20th anniversary of “The Simpsons,” reports The Hollywood Reporter. The stunt will include on-air graphics, Web and social networking graphics and even…

Other ‘Jersey Shore’ Residents Not So Keen on MTV Series

MTV’s reality show "Jersey Shore” isn’t winning rave reviews from some of the residents of the town of Seaside Heights who weren’t featured in the series, the Associated Press reports. Although the town is largely closed up for the winter,…

ABC Makes Second Early Pilot Pickup

ABC picked up another comedy pilot, its second this week, reports The Hollywood Reporter. The good news went to "Women Are Crazy, Men Are Stupid," a multicamera comedy based on a book by Howard Morris and Jenny Lee, about a…

Apple’s Web TV Proposal Drawing Some Network Interest

Some broadcasters are showing interest in Apple’s proposal to offer Web-based TV subscription packages, The New York Times reports. ABC and CBS, which both have sister channels, are among those considering taking part, the paper said, citing sources who added…

Speed Channel Inks Formula One Deal

The Speed channel reached a multiyear deal to continue coverage of the Formula One circuit, Multichannel News reports. Terms weren’t disclosed. In 2010, Speed’s coverage will again include live qualifying and practice sessions and 15 of 19 races, beginning March…

ABC Schedules Double Episodes of Two Struggling Comedies

ABC will air back-to-back episodes of two of its struggling comedies in early January, reports The Hollywood Reporter. Tuesday night shows "Scrubs" and "Better Off Ted" will run double episodes each on Jan. 5 and 12. On New Year’s Day,…

Starz Renews ‘Spartacus’ Before It Launches

Starz renewed its upcoming action-drama "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" even before its Jan. 22 launch, reports The Hollywood Reporter. The pay cable network called the renewal a “bold vote of confidence" for the first season. The second season will have…

Limelight Networks Acquiring Digital Ad Provider EyeWonder

Limelight Networks will acquire EyeWonder, an interactive digital ad provider, for about $62 million in cash and about 12.74 million common shares, Reuters reports. The deal, with a total valuation of up to $110 million, is expected to help Limelight…

‘Incoherent’ Brittany Murphy ‘SNL’ Bit Pulled From Web

NBC has pulled from the Web a "Saturday Night Live" "Weenend Update" segment originally aired Dec. 5 in which comic Abby Elliot portrayed an "incoherent" Brittany Murphy, The Wall Street Journal reports. The skit was prompted by the late actress being fired from…