Prominent MSNBC Host Hit With Lawsuit
The host of a key MSNBC show has been hit with a lawsuit, the New York Post’s Page Six reports. An NBC broadcast engineer is alleging in the suit that MSNBC host Ed Schultz owes him 25% of his television…
Business
Fox Announces Key Renewal in Advance of Monday’s Schedule Rollout
Fox has made one key renewal decision in advance of the planned rollout of its fall schedule, which is set for Monday, reports Bill Carter in The New York Times’ Media Decoder. "House" has been renewed for an eighth season,…
Couric’s Producer–Whose Career Spans Back to Walter Cronkite–Announces He’s Leaving ‘CBS Evening News’ This Week
The producer behind Katie Couric’s newscast at CBS said Tuesday that he’s departing the network, two weeks after Couric confirmed she would be exiting the "CBS Evening News,’ reports The New York Times’ Media Decoder. Rick Kaplan returned to CBS…
‘Star Wars’ Actor’s Lawsuit Against USA Network Tossed Out
An actor known for his role in the “Star Wars” movies has had his lawsuit against USA Network tossed out of court, the New York Post’s Page Six reports. Hayden Christensen, who played Anakin Skywalker in two “Star Wars” movies,…
Charlie Sheen Factor Helping ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Beat ‘American Idol’
For two weeks in a row, ABC’s "Dancing With the Stars" has won out over Fox’s "American Idol" as the country’s most-watched show, and the reason behind "Dancing’s” surge may be Charlie Sheen, reports the Los Angeles Times’ Show Tracker…
Shania Twain Show Racks Up OWN’s Highest Debut Ratings Since Network Launch
The new show "Why Not? With Shania Twain" earned Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network its highest debut ratings since the network’s premiere weekend in January, reports B&C. The show follows the former country superstar as she struggles to reclaim her career…
TNT Making Plans for Second Season of Alien-Invasion Show–Even Though It Hasn’t Debuted Yet
Before TNT’s alien-invasion show "Falling Skies" has even debuted, the network is looking forward to a possible second season, reports Deadline.com. The show, executive produced by Steven Spielberg and starring Noah Wyle, doesn’t debut until June 19, the story says….
Oprah Headed to Broadway, Eyes Return to Acting
As her syndicated show draws to a close, Oprah Winfrey appears to be headed to Broadway. The daytime talk queen tells the Chicago Tribune that she is meeting with Broadway producers and has a stack of plays she’s reading. "Just…
Veteran TV News Exec Who Worked for CBS, ABC, NBC and CNN Dead at 72
A longtime television news executive who had the distinction of having worked for the news divisions of CBS, ABC, NBC and CNN has died, TVNewser.com reports. Jeff Gralnick, most recently a special consultant to NBC News President Steve Capus, died…
Disney Posts Lower Profits Despite Strength in Media Networks
Disney reported fiscal second-quarter profits that were down 1%, with the film segment–and in particular the poor performance of “Mars Needs Moms”–doing most of the damage, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Media networks–the company’s largest segment–was a bright spot, up…