The Federal Trade Commission will hold a workshop Oct. 29 to assess how well voluntary entertainment industry efforts to check the marketing of violence to children are working. In a statement, the FTC said the workshop’s goal is to give industry representatives and the public an opportunity “to engage in dialogue about working together to ensure that rating and labeling systems are accurate and useful, that parents are informed about these systems and that limits on children’s access to entertainment that may be inappropriate for them are effective.” A witness list for the workshop, which is part of a long-pending FTC inquiry on the marketing of violence to children, is expected to be released soon.
`Reality Awards’ to Air on ABC
Broadcast and cable prime-time reality shows will face off during the first “Reality Awards,” set to air on the ABC Network this fall. Don Mischer, who will produce his eighth “Primetime Emmy Awards” telecast later this month, will executive produce the two-hour “Reality Awards” through his company Don Mischer Productions. An entertainment industry blue-ribbon panel of nearly 200 people will choose nominees, and television viewers will vote to determine winners using an Internet balloting system. The awards aim to honor network and cable prime-time reality and alternative series and specials, according to a news release from ABC. “Best Series,” “Most Memorable Moment” and “Best Twist” are among the planned categories. The first “Reality Awards” will cover programming that aired in the 2002-03 season, including summer 2003.
FX Renews `Nip/Tuck’
Basic cable network FX has renewed “Nip/Tuck,” ordering 15 additional episodes of the freshman drama series. The second season likely will debut in spring or summer 2004. The show has been drawing about 3.4 million viewers per episode, according to FX, 2.1 million of them in the adults 18 to 49 demographic. The first season wraps up Oct. 21. “Nip/Tuck” is produced by Shephard/Robin in association with Warner Bros. Television. Ryan Murphy is creator and executive producer, and Greer Shephard and Mike Robin also executive produce.
Lifetime Gets Governors Award
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Board of Governors has voted to present its Governors Award to Lifetime Television for the network’s “Our Lifetime Commitment: Stop Violence Against Women” initiative, ATAS Chairman Bryce Zabel announced. The award will be presented at the 2003 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony Sept. 13 in Los Angeles. In other ATAS news, “CSI” co-stars William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger will be presenters at the “55th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards,” to be aired on Fox live from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium, Sunday, Sept. 21.
Resignations
Jim Yager, CEO of Barrington Broadcasting, announced his resignation last week as joint board chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, citing personal reasons. … Satellite Broadcasting & Communications Association President Andy Wright will step down from his post effective Sept. 30. Mr. Wright said he will “pursue another opportunity.”